Media release

15 December 2010

Local Boards to help review bylaws

Local boards will be invited to work with the Auckland Council to review existing bylaws. 

There are currently 158 bylaws operating across the Auckland region which regulate 32 issues, ranging from health and hygiene to animals and signage. 

Most existing bylaws need to be reviewed by 2015, however the council intends to complete the review of many of its bylaws prior to this date. Public consultation and the involvement of local boards will be an important part of the review process. 

The Regulatory and Bylaws Committee has agreed to invite the Police to attend future committee meetings on a quarterly basis to report on their experience in enforcing council bylaws. 

“We want to establish a positive relationship with the Police which ensures that bylaws are enforced effectively and that the Police are supported by the council in their work,” says Regulatory and Bylaws Committee Chairperson Des Morrison.

The committee will also look at whether it should be advocating to central government that councils be given increased powers to enforce bylaws through infringement fines, rather than having to go through the court process.  

Councillor Morrison says there is a need for the council to look at whether having the ability to fine people who persistently breach bylaws would help the community by deterring these individuals from creating a nuisance to others. 

Council staff will report back to the committee in February with further information on the bylaw review programme and the review process. 

ENDS

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