Anyone with an interest in Central Otago's roads has the chance to tell the district's council if it has hit the mark with a new roading policy.
Until now, the council had separate roading-related policies and bylaws but there was no overarching policy or bylaw.
''It is intended that the policies will improve efficiency in dealing with issues as they arise, and will provide improved public information regarding activities on our roads,'' council roading manager Julie Muir said in a statement.
The draft Central Otago District Council Roading Policies, which is out for public consultation until October 6, covers activities such as stock on roads, temporary storage on roads, fences within road reserve, roadside planting, working on the road, use of paper roads, private services in roads, forming and stopping roads, road closures, road encroachments, dust suppression, and events on roads.
For example, if a landowner wanted to trim or clear trees from within road reserve, a traffic management plan would need to be prepared, approved and implemented; if a farmer has a legal but unformed road on their land, a fence runs across it and a request for access is made to the council, that farmer could be required to install a gate; if a farmer chooses to temporarily graze stock on roadsides, they will be responsible for any damage caused; hawkers or roadside traders must obtain a licence from the council; a permit would need to be obtained for some stock movements; and more.
This is an informal consultation so formal submissions are not being called and an official hearings process will not take place. That process will occur for the roading bylaw to be developed from the policies and is due to be adopted next year.
The bylaw will give council an enforcement process when activities occur on roads that could damage them or affect accessibility or safety.
Feedback received via roading@codc.govt.nz or to council in writing will be collated and reported to the new council in December.
The 98-page policy document can be downloaded from council's website or viewed at council service centres and libraries.
