From today, Auckland Council is inviting public feedback on the proposed new Public Trading, Events and Filming Bylaw 2022.
This bylaw will replace the current, Trading and Events in Public Places Bylaw 2015, which expires next year.
The purpose of the bylaw is to minimise public safety risks, nuisance and the misuse of council-controlled public places.
While there is no change in specific rules around how rental micromobility devices like e-scooters and e-bikes will be managed, the new bylaw – among other things - clarifies trading activities that require an approval, including rental micromobility devices.
Council Regulatory Committee Chair, Councillor Linda Cooper says the concept of e-scooter ride-share schemes was scarcely even heard of when the bylaw was last reviewed in 2015.
“The main changes we’re proposing are to ensure the language is simple, clear and modern enough to reflect changes in the way we live, such as clearly identifying rental micromobility devices as being an activity that needs approval,” says Councillor Cooper.
While council proposes continuing to regulate trading, events and filming in council-controlled public places in a similar way to the current bylaw, there are three main improvements that council proposes to make in 2022, which include:
- clarifying the need for rental micromobility devices to be approved under their own licence instead of a mobile shop licence as they currently are;
- clarifying which activities require an approval, don’t require an approval as long as certain conditions are met, and those which are not addressed in this bylaw;
- updating the title, structure, format, definitions, and wording to ensure that a new bylaw is easier to read, understand and comply with.
“The changes we are proposing will streamline the bylaw, future proof it, and make the rules easier to understand and comply with so that we can prioritise safety while continuing to allow trading, events and filming in Auckland’s public places.”
Consultation on the proposed new bylaw runs from Tuesday 8 June until Friday 16 July 2021, after which the views of Aucklanders will be considered by the Bylaw Panel before a new bylaw is put in place.
For more information visit aucklandcouncil.govt.nz/have-your-say/topics-you-can-have-your-say-on/new-public-trading-events-filming-bylaw to give feedback and to find out where drop in ‘have your say’ events will be.
Free internet access is available at council libraries or contact us by phoning 09 301 0101.
