This week we held our first Policy and Regulatory Committee
meeting of the year, which I have the privilege of chairing.
I see councillors in this role as stewards, or kaitiaki, of the standards
regulating community life in our District. Our job is to work in partnership with
you – through consultation and public hearings - to set clear, widely-agreed rules
that protect and enhance the way we live together.
Policy and regulatory functions matter more than most people
realise. Our vision of creating liveable, thriving and connected communities
relies heavily on performing these functions well.
The policies, bylaws and regulatory work this committee oversees
form the often invisible infrastructure of daily life. This includes district
planning, building and resource consenting, food premises and alcohol
licensing, and bylaws governing how we use public spaces and shared resources.
When this framework is working well people feel it in safe
buildings, clean water, orderly streets and protected neighbourhoods. If it is
not kept updated and fit for purpose, or loses community support, it can create
uncertainty, inefficiencies and unfairness. Our goal, reflected in our policies,
is to ensure council decisions are applied consistently and fairly – the same
rules for everyone.
A highlight from this week’s meeting was making dog registration simpler
and more efficient. From 1 July, we’ll introduce
a lifetime metal dog tag and move to a paperless system for annual registration
fees. After it’s set-up, the new system is expected to save about $51,000 a
year in postage and plastic tag production costs. For the first time, dog
owners will also be able to use Afterpay, providing a practical payment option
for those who cannot pay upfront, and – with nearly 15,000 dogs in the district
- encouraging the compliance needed to maintain public safety.
This week we also discussed how to keep our reserves and beaches
safe and enjoyable for everyone. An online survey held last year asked for your
views on whether (or when) vehicles, motorbikes and horses-riding should be
allowed on our beaches and reserves, and drew 1,523 responses. We decided the best path is to amend our
Public Places and Traffic Bylaws to reflect the community’s preferences, and we’ll
be seeking your input on the proposed changes later this year.
With only three appeals still to be resolved on the Waikato
District Plan (Operative in Part), we also welcomed Ministerial approval to
make two final plan changes covering earthworks and a list of technical
corrections during a nationwide ‘plan stop’. Both will be publicly notified.
Keeping our regulatory framework in the right shape is a
significant challenge – but it’s essential
for protecting property rights, public safety, and our community wellbeing.
