11 April 2007

Signs and billboards hearing process decided

An Auckland City Council hearing to consider proposed signs and billboards bylaws, and the more than 1700 submissions received on them, will begin on 16 April.

Due to the sheer number of submissions, the signs bylaw and the billboards bylaw will be dealt with separately, with different chairs heading the panel to consider each bylaw.

Nearly 1000 submissions were lodged in opposition to the billboards bylaw, while around 250 expressed opposition to the signs bylaw and a further 270 opposition to both.

Approximately 110 submissions were lodged in support of the proposed billboards bylaw, 70 in support of the proposed signs bylaw and around 30 in support of both.

Councillor Glenda Fryer will chair the panel as it considers the signs bylaw, while Councillor Richard Northey will chair the panel as it considers the billboards bylaw.

While the chairs will differ for each bylaw, the membership of the panel will stay the same for both bylaws. The entire panel consists of: councillors Glenda Fryer, Richard Northey, Faye Storer, Penny Sefuiva and Graeme Mulholland, along with urban designer Garth Falconer.

Councillor Glenda Fryer says having separate chairs to consider the two bylaws makes sense.

"We received a huge number of submissions and that means a heavy workload for those involved, especially the chairperson who oversees the process.

"It's sensible to split that workload between two people to ensure that we get the best outcome for all concerned," Ms Fryer says.

Around 400 people have asked to speak at the hearing to consider the two bylaws. The hearing is expected to last for around 10 days.

Anyone wanting further information should visit www.aucklandcity.govt.nz/bylaws or phone 379 2020.

ENDS

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