Stock bylaw changes address farmers' concerns

Recommended changes to a bylaw regulating stock movement will address concerns raised by farmers while protecting public safety.

A Council Hearings Panel has made several changes to the proposed Christchurch City Council Stock on Roads Bylaw (2017) following a consultation and hearings process.

A Council Hearings Panel has recommended changes to a proposed Stock on Roads Bylaw.

Hearings Panel Chairman and Deputy Mayor Andrew Turner believes the panel’s recommendations address concerns raised by the rural community during the process.

“We understand that conditions change for farmers, and the proposed bylaw is intended to be flexible and reasonable. Often all we are asking for is that in respect of certain roads farmers contact the Council for a conversation about their proposed stock movements and how we can achieve these without putting traffic, stock or people at risk.

“Overall the Panel is very happy with the proposed bylaw, and we thank the rural communities for their feedback and being so responsive and engaged. I hope the changes we’ve made will clearly signal that their views have been heard and responded to.”

The proposed bylaw would replace the current 2008 Stock Control Bylaw and is due to come into effect next March. 

Under the planned rules farmers will need to contact the Council to discuss plans to move stock on restricted (higher risk) roads so that any risks can be appropriately managed, a system that is aligned with requirements in the Health and Safety at Work Act 2015.                         

On all other roads, farmers would need to follow a set of standard conditions that set out best practice ways of managing risks when moving stock on roads, such as wearing high visibility clothing and using recognisable traffic warning signs to alert oncoming motorists.

The Hearings Panel’s recommended changes to the proposed bylaw include:

• Removing roads on Banks Peninsula from the restricted roads list (from 22 roads, down to 12 roads), and redefining roads in all other wards as restricted roads for the movement of stock. 
• Lifting the requirement that pilot vehicles are needed for unsealed roads, and when moving stock short distances (less than 300 metres). It also clarifies the signage required in these situations. 
• Explaining the reason permission is needed for roadside grazing is so the Council can co-ordinate that with public events, and activities such as road maintenance and spraying.

The Hearings Panel has not made any changes to the bylaw regarding fees, but notes that fees would be set out in the annual plan and would be consulted on if any were proposed. 

Its recommendations will be considered at the 23 November Council meeting.