Fireworks bylaws under review

A discussion of letting fireworks off in streets flared up when Tauranga City Councillors learned a clause of a new proposed bylaw would make it illegal.

City councillors spoke in favour of letting off fireworks in the street as a safer alternative during discussion of a new fire Protection Bylaw yesterday.


However, the conversation got a little heated when they discovered a clause of the proposed bylaw will make it illegal to let off fireworks in the street, under pain of a prosecution under the local government act and a maximum fine of $20,000.

'No person may set off or light any fireworks flares or other explosive material in any public place without first obtaining approval from council,” says the contested clause.

It sparked councillor Steve Morris into reminiscing over happy memories of letting off fireworks in the Simpson Reserve.

'There's no way we are going to be able to enforce that in every cul-de-sac in the city,” says Steve.

From a safety point of view letting off fireworks on the road could be a better option, says councillor Rick Curach.

Banning fireworks altogether might stop the people who let off fireworks at all times of night all year round, says Catherine Stewart.

The update of the Outdoor Fire Safety bylaw is to enable the city council to ban fireworks and flying lanterns as part of an urban outdoor fire ban during times of extreme fire risk.

At present the council can prohibit outdoor fires when it's really dry, but it cannot legally prevent people letting off fireworks and loosing flying lanterns during a fire ban.

It also can't stop commercial fireworks display operators sparking up during an open fire ban.

The current urban fire district bylaw became operative in 2010 and is due its five year review. It was developed so the council could declare an urban fire ban during periods of extreme fire risk.

While the neighbouring rural fire districts are able to declare total fire bans when things get really dry, the city was unable to do so until 2010.

It also prohibits outdoor fires in public places, unless council permission is obtained prior.

The two exemptions are the use of electric or gas barbeques in public places, and driftwood fires on the beach, as long as they are below the high tide line. Beach fires are included in urban fire bans.

The bylaw also regulates fires on private land, prohibiting them in circumstances where the location, wind or other conditions are likely to cause the fire to become a danger to any people or property, or spread beyond the property boundary, or be a smoke or ash nuisance to people property, or a hazard to road traffic.

As it stands the bylaw still has conflicting messages over Guy Fawkes night, allowing outdoor fires and fireworks on private land without council approval where there is no danger nuisance or risk – but in the next paragraph forbidding the lighting of the traditional Guy Fawkes bonfire.

Outdoor fires on private land are only permitted between the hours of sunrise to sunset, unless approved by Council - or the fire is in a non-combustible container designed to be used in the outdoors for cooking, heating or amenity.

Councillors approved the amended bylaw for public consultation.

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16 comments

Ban them apart from Public Displays

Posted on 01-07-2015 12:10 | By The Sage

In the last few weeks we have had a letter box set fire to, with firecrackers, in my street. The following week-end fireworks were let off on the road at 1.30am. I am over it.


Good!

Posted on 01-07-2015 12:17 | By lpm67

I am sick of the local ferral population setting off fireworks year round in the early hours of the morning and last guy fawkes night we ended up with two rockets hitting our roof! There are always a few that ruin things for everyone else, making it illegal will give the PTB (powers that be) the grounds to take action...although in this city they are hesitant to intervene, even when a woman is assaulted just around the corner from the police station.


Time

Posted on 01-07-2015 12:36 | By Capt_Kaveman

to outright ban them and have displays only


Remember when?

Posted on 01-07-2015 13:30 | By tibs

Before all these new laws and bylaws trying to curb fireworks, there was less annoyance factor associated with fireworks. It's maybe because their sale and use has been concentrated into so few days that makes people want to let them off at all sorts of different times. However we seem to live in a "make another law' societal mindset. But please look at the laws and are they really working. The outstanding problem here is the bureaucrats in city hall, dreaming up their pet laws and then foisting them on the elected representatives. As electors we can un-elect councillors but we can't touch these Sir Humphreys, they're the untouchables with their arrogant manners.


No more public sales

Posted on 01-07-2015 13:39 | By nerak

is the only way. That will put a stop to morons setting off the loudest bang for their buck between 11 pm and 2 am any night, regularly. Public displays only.


Good on the council..

Posted on 01-07-2015 13:45 | By local yokel

Good on the Council seeking a total ban of fireworks apart from in controlled enviroments. Steve Morris, I too enjoyed letting of fireworks in the early days under strict conditions though, but sadly these days the younger generation have no respect for other people or animals.Last year there were many needless fires & injuries caused,I heard of a dog that was so frightened that it ran out into traffic, a cat that was so frightened it ended up having fits,another with an open head wound, a horse that bolted through a fence,and the list goes on.Ask the Fire Service what they think. I think designated areas where people can go & take their children to still enjoy fireworks in a controlled enviroment or at a display, is the way to go these days. Good on the Councillors that voted for a total ban. I'm with them.


Ban them altogether

Posted on 01-07-2015 13:54 | By MaureenR

I am so please they are considering a total ban, I live in GatePa and there's not a weekend that goes by that someone is setting off firework around midnight.. Total ban please..


RASTUS

Posted on 01-07-2015 13:54 | By rastus

I too am all for a total ban excepting sales to professional operators putting on displays.


Forgotten Youth

Posted on 01-07-2015 15:00 | By Towball

By all of you people who no doubt were all in support of the anti-smacking law ,but did have the opportunity to exercise the experience of a few crackers under supervision ,now confronted by a population of cotton wool pc lovers who cannot understand why we have this issue . This has been a concern for many generations is just a greater population with better media coverage that amplifies the whole situation . Dig out your slides or black and white photo's and reminisce [ remember, recollect ] when you were youthful , or have you always been foundation members of the fun police .


Agree/Disagree

Posted on 01-07-2015 16:25 | By Jitter

I agree fireworks should be banned except for public displays but you will never stop a certain section of society getting hold of them and making a bloody nuisance of themselves. Perhaps stricter rules on sales would be a more acceptable plan. How you implement this I don't know. But whatever is done you will never stop fireworks getting into the wrong hands. The penalties for letting off fireworks should be much tougher but our whimps in central government will not do this.


Public display only!!

Posted on 01-07-2015 16:36 | By Angel74

I use to live close to Gate Pa fireworks would go off ALL the time sounded like they were right outside my bedroom some nights most annoying and as for my cat he is terrified by the noise they make.


Towball

Posted on 01-07-2015 17:03 | By maildrop

I remember with embarrassment some of the things I did as a teenager, so you're right. I also remember getting caught by my elders and given a clip round the earhole. I knew to say nothing and learn the lesson. If my parents found out it was more clips round the earhole. If the cops got you it was more of the same. Lessons were learned and you stopped being a dick. Sadly times have changed and teenagers now know it. Therefore, community policing by ordinary people / neighbours is a no no. Therefore, no tolerance can be given. Different times, different rules. Get with the program.


Stricter Laws ?

Posted on 01-07-2015 19:00 | By Towball

How is this possible when the current laws aren't being enforced , Youths smoking, drink drivers, red light runners , cell phones whilst driving , and all of this happening 365 days of the year. A shame you people don't feel as strongly about these shameless acts as these far exceed the impact of a few crackers. low economy areas always seem to benefit from the stats. No WINZ payments for a week would solve a lot .


Why not

Posted on 01-07-2015 20:42 | By milka

Why not move guy Fawkes to mid winter when there is less chance of fires from dry undergrowth ect.


0200 wake up call

Posted on 02-07-2015 09:41 | By Captain Sensible

Having loud crackers go off at 0200 in may or January or august or whatever by louts deliberately trying to wake everybody ....the same people that pay taxes so the louts can remain on the benefit, is annoying.


Outrageous

Posted on 24-07-2015 14:32 | By Kenworthlogger

A dog woke me up at 2 am. Should we all ban dogs?


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