Council seeks views on new parking and livestock rules

New rules being considered by Christchurch City Council would limit parking on berms and add new requirements for people moving livestock on roads.

Parking on grass berms where there is a hard kerb could become illegal.

Head of Strategic Policy Helen Beaumont said the Council was asking the public for comment on the proposed new rules.

“Each year we review a number of bylaws and this year we’ve been looking at some of the rules for traffic and parking, and stock movements on roads, and want to make some changes. The aim is to solve some of the problems we’ve identified that aren’t already covered, or that the community has told us about, or where we can simplify or improve the rules.”

A merging of two traffic-related bylaws – the Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2008 and the Speed Limits Bylaw 2010 — will create a new bylaw: the Christchurch City Council Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2017.

“A proposed new requirement of the bylaw is to stop parking on a berm where there is a hard kerb, without the need for a sign to indicate the ban. This kind of parking can damage the kerb and presents a safety issue when vehicles block sightlines around driveways.”

Other proposed rule changes would see restrictions on the parking of motorhomes, immobilised vehicles and trailers, and storing vehicles on the road. People wouldn’t be able to park vehicles on roadsides solely to display them for sale, and the Council would be able to restrict classes of vehicle, such as heavy vehicles, on specified roads.

“We’re also looking to make some changes to the rules governing how stock are moved along and across roads to protect people, traffic and stock, while safeguarding the condition of the road,” Ms Beaumont said..

The proposed new Stock on Roads Bylaw 2017 would replace the Stock Control Bylaw 2008. It would require everyone moving stock on roads to wear high-visibility vests. There are also new requirements for warning signs and, in some cases, the use of flashing amber beacons.

The bylaw also covers roadside grazing, road surface contamination and damage, and cattle stops. There is a new clause requiring stock owners to ensure their fences are in good condition, so that stock do not escape and wander on roads.

Ms Beaumont said some small changes were also proposed to the General Bylaw, which outlines a set of provisions which are common to all bylaws. The proposed changes intend to improve or simplify the wording of the bylaw and remove redundant clauses.

People can read the three proposed bylaws and make a submission online at Have Your Say. 

Submissions must be received before 5pm Monday 25 September.