The law is being laid out plain and simple for Western Bay of Plenty mobile traders as their council looks to push through a new simplified bylaw around the roadside community ahead of the summer.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council this week unveiled its intentions to roll out their ‘Trading in Public Places Bylaw 2014' on December 14.

Mobile traders can look forward to a new, simplified bylaw next month.

It will replace the existing ‘Trading in Public Places Bylaw 2005' but is expected to operate in a very similar manner, helping regulate the operation of roadside mobile traders

Council senior policy analyst Marnie Carter says the current bylaw has a certain amount of ambiguity around it, while the new version will make it clearer and more workable for traders and council.

The update clarifies exactly what information needs to be submitted with a licence application, provides more detailed information on what is considered an offence under the bylaw and clarifies which activities are exempt.

Charitable activities, such as fundraising sausage sizzles, will not be affected, and neither will market stallholders who are covered by the market's consent.

Charitable activities categorise any stall or stand where food is being sold to raise money for not-for profit groups.

The council currently has six licensed mobile traders on its books and during the summer months that number is expected to increase slightly. A licence permit currently costs $256.

'There are a couple of additional surf school traders over summer,” says Marnie, 'but primarily its fruit and veg vendors and coffee and drink stalls who are all year round.”

Marnie says along with accommodating coffee carts, firewood sellers, Christmas tree vendors and fruit and vegetable stalls, council aims to ensure the surrounding roads and pavements remain safe and usable for both traders and their customers.

'So if cars are pulling up and parking, and people are getting out of their cars and walking around, we need to ensure that is happening in a safe area for both the traders, and pedestrians parking their cars,” she adds.

The council have also placed equal importance on ensuring permanent retailers are not economically disadvantaged by mobile traders who might operate for only a few weeks a year – generally during the summer period.

Marnie says: 'Our permanent retailers provide year-round service to the community but rely on the peak summer season for their business viability.

'So we don't want a fruit and vegetable stand operating in front of a fruit and vegetable store.”

Council is yet to issue a fine to any licence holders breaching council regulations, but in the past there has been issues of people setting up a stall without a licence in areas deemed unsafe.

Mobile traders will still need to apply to council for a licence which is required to be displayed on the vehicle during trading hours.

The bylaw is currently out for public consultation ahead of its adoption on December 14.

For more information on the proposed bylaw and submissions, click here or contact Marnie on: 07 579 6720.