It's the last chance for Thames residents to have their say on the draft Fires in the Open Bylaw and changes to Resource Management Act fees and charges.

Residents can have their say on the rewritten Bylaw and on proposed changes to our fees and charges under the Act.

Public consultation on the proposal to increase the fees and charges under the RMA closes on Monday May 9, and residents can have their say on the draft Fires in the Open Bylaw until Wednesday May 11.

The proposed bylaw will allow residents to set and enforce fire seasons and bans in areas of the Coromandel classified as urban by the New Zealand Fire Service. Check the web page www.tcdc.govt.nz/firesbylaw to see which area you fall into, to read the full text of the draft bylaw and have your say online.

The main changes are: permits would no longer be required for permanent, safe outdoor fireplaces (including pizza ovens) meeting the bylaw's safety criteria. Permits would also not be required for fireworks.

After the submissions are reviewed and hearings held and any amendments made, Council will consider a final Fires in the Open Bylaw for adoption in August 2016, and it is planned any new rules will come into effect in September 2016.

Until then, the current rules apply. Head to the website at www.tcdc.govt.nz/fire to find out more.

The Council is proposing increases to some of the administrative fees and charges for things like reviewing and processing applications for resource consents, subdivision applications and the preparation of documents.

Council charges for these services to recover the cost of providing them and pass it on to those who benefit.

The proposed changes better reflect the costs incurred by Council and will allow people to have a better understanding of what the true costs of their application will be.

All the details are available at www.tcdc.govt.nz/haveyoursay The consultation closes on Monday May 9, at 4pm.