The Dunedin City Council is embarking on another round of public consultation as part of a second attempt to review its skateboarding bylaw.
The council was on the verge of introducing a range of changes to its skateboarding bylaw last year, but after more than six months of planning and consultation, it was sent back to the drawing board.
The law changes were to have added additional areas of the central business where skateboarding was banned.
The changes would also have given council officers and police the power to confiscate skateboards from those under the age of 14, with a $50 fee to get them back.
Environmental Health and Animal Control team leader Ros MacGill said a public meeting was held on Wednesday for people interested in skateboarding in the central city.
Another public meeting would be held next Wednesday at the South Coast Boardriders Club (6pm) at St Clair, for those interested in skateboarding at The Esplanade.
A major reason for the previous bylaw review not proceeding was the confusion over the existing ban at The Esplanade.
Many skateboarders who wanted to use that area were unaware the activity had been banned there and did not feel it was appropriate for the ban to remain.
Ms MacGill said a start was being made again on the review, and consultation to see what people thought about the current bylaw were ongoing.
A report would go to the planning and regulatory committee on June 9, after which any proposed changes to the existing law would be open for a new round of public consultation.
- by Dan Hutchinson
