Western Bay of Plenty roadside traders look set to have a new set of simplified rules in time for summer, with council expected to adopt the bylaw this week.
Council are currently in the process of compiling the necessary paperwork ahead of Thursday's council meeting following a month-long public consolation process.
Roadside traders will have a new simplified bylaw to adhere this week. Photo: Bruce Barnard.
The newly created ‘Trading in Public Places Bylaw 2014' is set to replace the existing 2005 version.
However, it 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 new bylaw was outlined to be rolled out on Monday, but has since been shifted to Thursday's council meeting.
Since the push for the simplified bylaw was announced, council are yet to receive any submissions opposing the proposal, says Marnie.
The current bylaw is understood to have a certain amount of ambiguity around it, while the new version will make it clearer and more workable for traders and council.
Marnie says 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.
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.
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.
Mobile traders will still need to apply to council for a licence which is required to be displayed on the vehicle during trading hours.
4 comments
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Posted on 16-12-2014 07:31 | By whatsinaname
wish they would move the coffee trailers etc by leasure island. used to take my elderly mum there just to sit and watch the waves. about the only spot along that road that you can see the surf.
Remove all
Posted on 16-12-2014 21:40 | By Capt_Kaveman
from the main beach except whippy and learn to swim etc, like Omanu when they did the car park instead of building it up they dug it out durr
Wrong council whatsinaname
Posted on 17-12-2014 08:58 | By Murray.Guy
Whatsinaname, the new bylaw relates to the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, not Tauranga City. Totally agree in regard your comments, TCC choosing the Leisure Island site for traders. Efforts to relocate them to the Mount Drury side were fruitless with staff citing safety concerns of patrons crossing the road.
Equality?
Posted on 25-01-2015 14:51 | By Gadeb2
For the last 7 months avo's in a large plastic box, complete with safe have been 'locked' onto a signpost which is sited directly opposite my road. I have asked the council to ask the trader to move on several occasions but to no effect. At peak periods car drivers stop to buy cheap avos, blocking safe access. I asked the council if these traders needed a permit but it seems not, despite the fact they have traded everyday for months and do not even live locally. One rule for some, one rule for others.
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