Have your say!

Public Amenities Bylaw and Public Safety Bylaw

We’re reviewing both our Public Amenities Bylaw and Public Safety Bylaw and want to learn about the issues that people experience in our community, so we can understand what changes should be made. Both of these Bylaws aim to ensure the safety and enjoyment of our public spaces and Council facilities (like parks, libraries, cemeteries, etc.). We need your input on what should be included in our Bylaws to support happy and healthy communities (and good neighbours!).

This is an opportunity to provide your feedback on what you think the important issues are to help shape these Bylaws to better serve the community.

What are Bylaws?

Bylaws are rules made by Council under the Local Government Act 2002.

Generally, bylaws are made to:

protect the public from nuisance

protect, promote, and maintain public health and safety

minimise the potential for offensive behaviour in public places.

Bylaws are like ground rules for how we live and work together in a community. Imagine them as the “house rules” for your district, neighbourhood and community. Bylaws help to keep things running smoothly and make sure everyone’s playing fair so we can all get along and enjoy where we live. Together we can create a “how to guide” to being a good neighbour and citizen.

To learn more about Bylaws and why they are being reviewed, click here.

Which area are you based in?(*)

Matamata WardMorrinsville WardTe Aroha WardOther Please select one

How familiar are you with the current Bylaws?

UnfamiliarSomewhat familiarVery familiar Please select one

Please let us know your overall thoughts on the current Public Safety and Public Amenities Bylaws. Do they cover the issues that you care about? Are there any issues that should be included or removed?

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Alcohol in public places

See the current wording in the Public Safety Bylaw here - Possession and consumption of Alcohol in Public Places (pdf 3.1MB)

See the current alcohol ban areas in the Public Safety Bylaw here - Alcohol ban areas (pdf 3.1MB)

Have you noticed any issues with alcohol and/or drug use in public places in our district? If so, where did this occur and what happened?

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The current Public Safety Bylaw contains areas where drinking alcohol is banned. Do you think these areas are still suitable or are changes required? Please explain:

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Animals (excluding dogs)

(Please note that dogs are covered under the Dog Control Bylaw 2010 (pdf 444KB))

See the current wording in the Public Amenities Bylaw here - Animals in Public Amenities

See the current wording in the Public Safety Bylaw here - Keeping of Animals (pdf 3.1MB) and Animals on Public Places (pdf 3.1MB)

What are your thoughts on the current rules around animals in public amenities (e.g. parks and reserves)? Are there any changes needed for the safety and enjoyment of all users e.g. more rules, signage, enforcement etc.?

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What do you think about the rules around the number and type of animals that are allowed to be kept (e.g. chickens, roosters, goats, pigs etc.)? Have you ever experienced any issues in your neighbourhood? Are any changes needed?

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Behaviour and Personal Safety

See the current wording in the Public Safety Bylaw here - Safety in Public Places (pdf 3.1MB), and Nuisance on private property (pdf 3.1MB).

See the current wording in the Public Amenities Bylaw here - Restricted conduct in public amenities.

See the restricted areas for skating devices here - Restricted areas for skating devices.

Have you ever experienced behaviour in our district that made you feel uncomfortable or unsafe? If so, what happened and where did this occur?

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Which specific behaviours or actions in the community concern you the most and why?

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What are your thoughts on the current rules to keep people safe in public places around littering, camping, lighting fires, skating, loitering etc.?

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What changes (if any) would you recommend to the bylaws to better manage nuisance or offensive behaviour in the community e.g. more rules, signage, enforcement etc.?

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Cemeteries

See the current wording in the Public Amenities Bylaw about Cemeteries here: Burials and Purchase of Exclusive Rights of Burial, Burial Warrants, Services and Burials, Erection and Maintenance of Monuments, Work Practices, Vehicles in Cemeteries, Soliciting of Orders, Burial of Poor Persons, and Safety.

Have you seen any issues at cemeteries like antisocial behaviour or activities that are not allowed such as removal of monuments or tablets? If yes, please describe the issue(s) you encountered and where this occurred.

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What rules (if any) do you think should be in place to help maintain and respect cemeteries?

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Neighbourly issues

We want fewer bad neighbours and more rad neighbours.

See the current Public Amenities Bylaw wording here - Restricted conduct in public amenities

See the current Public Safety Bylaw wording here - Nuisance on private property (pdf 3.1MB)

What makes a rad or bad neighbour? Please provide some examples.

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Have you experienced anything in your neighbourhood that caused problems e.g. burning of rubbish or insanitary conditions? Please describe:

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Public Health and Safety

See the current wording in the Public Safety Bylaw below:

Safety in Public Places (pdf 3.1MB)

Food hygiene (pdf 3.1MB)

Safety requirements for Hostels (pdf 3.1MB)

What (if anything) should Council include in its bylaws to support the safety of food premises in the district?

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Note that food safety is managed under the Food Safety Act 2014.

Are the rules in the current Public Safety Bylaw clear and relevant for maintaining health and safety of hostels, guest houses, boarding houses, and similar accommodation? If not, please provide suggested changes.

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Is there anything else that Council should include to support public health and safety?

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Signage in Public Places

See the current wording in the Public Safety Bylaw here - Control of signage (pdf 3.1MB)

Council’s current Public Safety Bylaw includes rules and standards around signage. Do you think rules should be in place to control signage and keep our towns looking great and, if so, what should be included?

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Trading in Public Places

See the current wording in the Public Safety Bylaw here - Trading in Public Places (pdf 3.1MB)

See the current areas excluded from mobile shop trading here - Areas excluded from mobile shop trading (pdf 3.1MB)

What are your thoughts on the current rules around activities such as trading, fundraising, and performing in public places? Should there be specific conditions or restrictions, and if so, what should they be?

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The current Public Safety Bylaw contains areas excluded from mobile shop trading. Do you think any changes should be made to where mobile shops are allowed to operate from within our district?

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Vehicles in public amenities

See the current Public Amenities Bylaw wording below:

General Restrictions on Conduct in Public Amenities - Vehicles

Vehicles in Cemeteries

Have you ever seen dangerous driving in a park or reserve? Please describe what happened and where this occurred. Was there any damage done?

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How could Council better manage vehicles in parks and reserves so that everyone can enjoy these spaces e.g. more rules, signage, enforcement etc.?

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Submission page

Is there anything else you'd like to share about what makes a good neighbour and citizen to help us understand what should be included when writing the new Bylaw/s?

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If you have any attachments to support your feedback, please upload them here:

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Would you like to discuss your comments/responses further?

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If so, please provide your name and the best way to contact you and our Policy Team will be in touch.

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Thank you for providing your feedback. This will be considered by Council when reviewing the Public Safety Bylaw and Public Amenities Bylaw and when drafting the new bylaw/s. Formal consultation on the updated draft bylaw/s will happen in March/April 2025.

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News & Events

Public Bylaw Survey

Have your say!

Public Amenities Bylaw and Public Safety Bylaw

What are Bylaws?

Topics

Alcohol in public places

Animals (excluding dogs)

Behaviour and Personal Safety

Cemeteries

Neighbourly issues

Public Health and Safety

Signage in Public Places

Trading in Public Places

Vehicles in public amenities

Other Topics

Submission page