Proposed changes to the Roading Bylaw to go out for public feedback
At its first meeting for 2023 today (Wednesday 25 January) the Central Otago District Council considered amendments to the Roading Bylaw and approved public consultation of those proposed changes.
The current Roading Bylaw was adopted on 18 November 2020. This bylaw was developed following a review of the 2015 Roading Bylaw which recommended several minor amendments designed to modernise and simplify the existing bylaw. Community boards considered proposed changes to parking restrictions in June/July 2020 and their recommendations were incorporated into the Roading Bylaw 2020.
An update is now proposed to make two amendments to this bylaw, concerning the restriction of parking on footpaths and cycle paths, and alignment of parking enforcement fees to the Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999.
The current Roading Bylaw 2020 restricts parking on verges, however, does not refer to or parking on footpaths or cycle paths. The Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 specifies no person may park on a footpath or cycle path, so it is proposed an amendment to Council’s Roading Bylaw is made to reflect this. In addition, anyone causing damage may be required to pay for repair of the damage to the satisfaction of Council. Under the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 parking on footpath or cycle path may result in a fixed infringement of $40.
The proposal to update the Roading Bylaw 2020 to align to the fines listed in the Land Transport (Offences and Penalties) Regulations 1999 would see a graduated scale of fines (ranging from $12-60) introduced to reflect the offence and see CODC match the method used by most other councils.
The Roading Bylaw 2020 Proposed 2023 Amendment will open for public feedback from 30 January to 27 February 2023. More information will be available on Council’s engagement platform Let’s Talk - Korero Mai at https:lets-talk.codc.govt.nz.
Council staff are currently updating systems to enable more efficient and automated processes for issuing, processing and payment of infringements, and working on an enforcement strategy and education plan in preparation for proposed changes.
