Illegal use of shipping containers in residential areas on the increase

Papakura residents using shipping containers as temporary or permanent storage, sleep-outs or garden sheds are liable to be prosecuted under the Papakura District Plan.

Papakura District Council regulatory staff say the use of containers in residential areas is on the increase, and they are reminding residents that shipping containers are defined as a building under the District Plan, and may not be set down on residential property for any other purpose than packing or unpacking household goods.

The District Plan states that no buildings are allowed in front, side or rear yards of a residential property without a resource consent. Containers cannot be used as garden sheds or any other accessory building without Council consent.

In addition, Papakura’s 2007 Parking and Traffic Bylaw forbids placement of containers in the road area (road berms, footpaths and roadsides) except for loading or unloading purposes. Temporary placements can be for up to a week, and a permit is required along with payment of a deposit of $150.

Containers affect residential character and where requests for their removal are ignored Council will consider enforcement measures to ensure residential properties meet the standards of the District Plan.

Great Spring Clean on the way

Papakura’s annual Great Spring Clean is on the way, and organisers say it’s not too soon to be thinking about being a part of the annual spruce-up for the district’s public places.

The Great Spring Clean (GSC) was developed by Papakura District Council in 2003 as a way of celebrating some of the things that make Papakura unique and giving parts of the district a bit of a spruce-up.

Past GSC projects have included a Hunua Gorge clean-up, work in Kirks Bush and a clean-up in Smiths Avenue along with graffiti paint-outs and school participation events and competitions.

This year the GSC will finish on September 27 with a new event, the Papakura Spring Carnival, held in the town centre.

The Spring Carnival will mark the opening of the new town square and is also a celebration of the completion of the main parts of the Streetscape town centre enhancement project.

First confirmed event for the Spring Carnival is the New World “Bake-off”, an event with categories for all ages of baking enthusiasts. Organisers say they expect keen competition for children’s and adult’s best cupcake and cake categories, with a supreme bake-off champion to be decided on the day.