Proposed begging bylaw out for consultation

File photo.

Consultation opens today on Tauranga City Council's draft Street Use and Public Places Bylaw 2018.

The bylaw set out the rules for a number of activities that occur in public places, and also includes proposed new rules around begging and rough sleeping.

The mayor and councillors requested that the review of the bylaw be brought forward, to look at including provisions to restrict begging and rough sleeping in our city.

At the same time, other aspects around the use of public places have been reviewed, with changes proposed based on feedback from residents on how they want to enjoy Tauranga's public places.
The mayor and councillors voted to include the following restrictions in the draft bylaw for consultation:

  • No person shall beg in a public place in a manner that is likely to cause intimidation, harassment, alarm, or distress to any reasonable person.
  • No person shall beg within five metres of a retail or hospitality premises.
  • No person shall rough sleep within five metres of a retail or hospitality premises.

They are now seeking community feedback to find out if the public supports this proposal, and if the wording in the bylaw needs to be refined.
Other proposed changes include revised rules around street furniture, merchandise displays, real estate signs, election signs, erecting temporary and permanent structures, commercial trading and filming in public places and using skateboards, scooters and roller-skates in our main centres.
Full details of the draft changes and why council proposes to make them are available at www.tauranga.govt.nz/streetuse
Council is now asking if the community supports the changes, if they don't, and/or if they have any other changes they want to be considered.
Residents can provide feedback on the draft bylaw by visiting council's website and completing the online submission form.

Paper copies are also available at our customer service centre at 91 Willow Street and in our libraries.
This formal consultation process is the last opportunity for the community to have their say before the changes become law.

The consultation period ends on Thursday, 2 August.
Submission hearings will take place on Tuesday, 14 August.

The community's feedback will be used to propose a final revised bylaw for adoption by Council by the end of the year, says a statement from the Tauranga City Council.

'Bylaws are special rules that apply in the Tauranga area only.

'They help make sure people can live, work and play in Tauranga safety and free from nuisance. Not complying with a bylaw can result in prosecutions, court-imposed fines and seizure of property.
'The street use and public places bylaw is enforced by warranted council staff, except for traffic infringements which are enforced by the New Zealand Police. Police will not be able to enforce provisions around begging and rough sleeping.”

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