Community feedback wanted for food and fire bylaws

The Whakatane District Council is seeking community feedback on the Fire Prevention in Urban Areas and Food Administration Bylaws which are up for review.  

Public consultation start’s this week for the two bylaws – the last of 23 bylaws to be reviewed by the Council over the past few years.   

‘The bylaw review process has been very successful thanks to constructive feedback from relevant stakeholders in the community,’ Director of Environment and Policy David Bewley said. ‘Community input is important as it ensures Bylaws are appropriate to meet the expectations of the community in reducing public nuisance and offensive behaviour, and protecting public health and safety’. 

The Food Administration Bylaw sets guidelines for food storage and preparation for restaurants, cafes and other food-related businesses.  There are no major changes proposed to this Bylaw pending the outcome of a national review.   

The Fire Prevention in Urban Areas Bylaw manages fires in urban areas to prevent its spread to vegetation and to control nuisance from smoke.   

An information pack, including the two proposed draft Bylaws, is available from; the Council’s customer service centres in Whakatane and Murupara; at the Whakatane, Ohope, Edgecumbe and Murupara libraries; and on the website www.whakatane.govt.nz.  Alternatively contact the Council on 07 306 0500.  Submissions to both Bylaws can be made at these locations before the 20 May 2010.