|
Waiheke Local
Board
19 August 2015
|
|
Hearing and
deliberation report - proposed changes to local dog access rules in the Waiheke
Local Board area
File No.: CP2015/16182
Purpose
1. To support the hearing panel with the hearing
and deliberation process on the proposed changes to local dog access rules in
the Waiheke Local Board.
Executive
Summary
2. The Waiheke Local Board at its business
meeting on 7 May 2015 adopted for public consultation proposed changes to local
dog access rules on selected beach, foreshore and park areas.
3. The public consultation submission period
opened on 12 June and closed on 17 July 2015. A total of 244 submissions were
received. A total of 18 submitters indicated they wished to be heard.
4. The Waiheke Local Board appointed a hearing
panel to receive, hear and deliberate on submissions and other relevant
information and recommend changes.
5. This report summarises the matters raised in
submissions and provides staff comments where appropriate to support the panel
during the hearing and deliberation process.
6. The hearing panel will first hear from
submitters who wish to speak to their submission, and then deliberate on the
matters raised in the submissions received. To conclude the process, the
hearing panel will adopt a decision report detailing the panel’s
recommendations to the Waiheke Local Board for amendments to the Auckland
Council Policy on Dogs 2012.
|
Recommendations
Author note: The following
resolutions are to be considered on the first day of hearings prior to the
hearing of the first oral submitter.
That the hearing panel:
a) in relation to proposed changes to local dog
access rules contained in the document titled ‘Amendments to Auckland Council
Policy on Dogs 2012 – Waiheke Local Board May 2015’
i) receive this hearing and deliberation
report
ii) receive the 244 submissions
iii) hear the submitters who wish to be heard
in support of their submission
Author note: The following resolutions
are to be considered to conclude the deliberations.
b) Adopt the decision report titled ‘Hearing
panel decision report on local dog access rules in the Waiheke Local Board
area 2015’.
Author
note: The hearing panel decision report is prepared as part of the
deliberation process.
|
Background
Proposal
7. The Waiheke Local Board at its business
meeting on 7 May 2015 adopted for public consultation proposed changes to local
dog access rules on selected beach, foreshore and park areas (WHK/2015/90).
8. The proposed changes are summarised on page 4
and in detail on page 5 of the ‘Statement of Proposal - Amendments to Auckland
Council Policy on Dogs 2012 – Waiheke Local Board’ contained in Attachment A
(statement of proposal).
Submission
process
9. The public consultation submission period
opened on 12 June and closed on 17 July 2015.
10. The proposed changes were notified as follows:
· notices to all registered dog owners with their dog
registration reminder letter
· a public notice in the New Zealand Herald on 12 June
2015
· on the Auckland Council website
· in the June People’s Panel e-update
· through local social media and print media[1]
· June and July e-bulletin sent (to stakeholder list and
posted on Facebook)
· notices to previous submitters on dog access in the
local board area.
· Flyers distributed to the local
board office, libraries and the service
centre.
11. All relevant documents were made available on
the council’s website and through local libraries and service centres.
12. A total of 244 submissions were received,
which included a pro-forma submission from 148 submitters opposing the
proposal.
Hearing
and deliberation process
13. The Waiheke Local Board appointed a hearing
panel (Beatle Treadwell (as Chairperson), Paul Walden and Shirin Brown) to
receive, hear and deliberate on submissions and other relevant information and
recommend changes to the local board (WHK/2015/90).
14. A total of 18 submitters have indicated they
wish to be heard. Copies of all submissions received are attached to the
agenda.
15. Hearings provide an opportunity for submitters
to speak in support of their submission and for members of the hearing panel to
ask questions to better understand the views of submitters.
16. In conducting hearings and making decisions,
the hearing panel must consider:
· the need to meet a range of statutory, policy and
delegated authority decision-making requirements summarised in Attachment B,
including the need to:
o ensure decisions provide for public safety
and comfort, protection of wildlife and habitat and the needs of dogs and their
owners
o ensure dog access rules are easy to understand ‘on the
ground’
· the weight it puts on the matters raised by submitters
· information contained in the statement of proposal
· other information received by the hearing panel, such
as this report.
17. At the conclusion of the hearings, the panel
will deliberate and confirm its recommendations to the local board in a
decision report. The local board will decide whether or not to accept the
panel’s recommendations. The report is currently scheduled to be presented to
the local board at the 10 September 2015 business meeting.
Submissions
18. The submission form asked submitters which
parts of the proposal they agreed and/or disagreed with and to provide further
comments if they wished.
19. Matters raised in submissions have been
summarised into the topics as presented in the statement of proposal.
20. Of the 244 submissions received, 160 were
opposed to the proposal in its entirety. Of these, 148 submissions were
pro-forma submissions. Six submitters expressed support for the proposal in its
entirety.
21. A small number of submitters made generic
comments regarding dog access rules rather than responding to the specific
issues contained in the proposal. Six submitters requested more under control
off a leash dog access (both in relation to the current and the proposed rules)
and two submitters requested dogs to be under control on a leash at all times
on beaches and parks.
22. No submissions were received in relation to
the proposal to remove the general under control on-leash rule for picnic areas
and fitness apparatus areas, to remove the prohibited rule for safe swimming
areas, or to reclassify the ‘dog exercise areas’ at Hooks Lane Beach and Natzke
Road foreshore as ‘under control off-leash’ areas. No further commentary on
these topics is provided in this report and these draft rules can be adopted as
proposed without further discussion or deliberation.
23. Issues raised that are outside of the scope of
the proposal are addressed in submission topic 7 (page 13).
24. For each topic, staff comments and other
information is provided where appropriate.
Submission
topic 1 – Time and season beaches – which beaches
25. The proposal was to retain a time and season
rule on all beaches currently subject to a time and season rule that are not
identified as an on a leash or prohibited beach for the purposes of protection
wildlife (see submission topic 5):
|
o Big Oneroa Beach headland to headland
|
o Onetangi Beach eastwards of rocky outcrop at
northern end of beach
|
|
o Causeway Beach
|
o Palm Beach headland to headland
|
|
o Enclosure Bay headland to headland
|
o Piemelon Bay
|
|
o Kauakarau Bay headland to headland (known as
Rocky Bay)
|
o Putaki Bay headland to headland (Shelley
Beach/Shelley Bay)
|
|
o Little Oneroa Beach headland to headland
|
o Putiki Bay
|
|
o Matarahui Bay
|
o Surfdale Beach east of Blake Street (excluding
Hooks Lane Beach)
|
|
o Matiatia Bay (southwards of the wharf)
|
o Waiheke Bay
|
|
o Omiha Bay (known as Rocky Bay)
|
|
26. Three submissions were received that commented
on specific beaches in relation to the proposal. For Palm Beach one submitter
requested that dogs be prohibited at all times on while another requested no
reduction in under control off a leash access compared to what is currently in place.
One submitter requested Kauakarau Bay be under control off a leash at all
times.
27. No other comments were received that specifically discussed the proposed time and season beaches. However general comments on dog access on beaches were made that have been
included in this submission topic analysis.
28. Of nine submission points, eight asked for
less restrictions and/or more under control off a leash access for
dogs and one submitter requested dogs be under control on a leash at all times
on beaches.
29. The table below provides an overview of all
issues raised.
Table 1: Time and
season beaches – which beaches
|
Decision sought
|
Reasons why
|
# submission points
|
|
Location
unspecified
|
|
|
|
Allow dogs under
control on a leash at all times
|
Boat owners with dogs
need access to beaches
|
1
|
|
Provide more under
control off a leash dog access on beaches
|
Beach/park is quiet
|
8
|
|
Boat owners with dogs
need access to beaches
|
|
Dogs need adequate
exercise opportunities
|
|
Proposal unfair to
dog owners, too restrictive
|
|
Palm Beach
|
|
|
|
Require dogs to be
prohibited at all times
|
Dog faeces on beach
|
1
|
|
No reduction in
current access
|
Beach is busy
|
1
|
|
Kauakarau Bay
|
|
|
|
Allow dogs under
control off a leash at all times
|
Same usage type as
Omiha Beach
|
1
|
Staff
comments
30. Three submitters commented on the description
of Onetangi Beach (which also relates to the proposed rules for the protection
of wildlife), stating it is confusing and asking for clarification. Staff will
revise the description provided and provide an alternative option for the
panel’s consideration in the decision report.
31. Information gathered to support the
development of the statement of proposal is summarised as follows:
· of
the 209 locals responding to the online survey:
o the beaches visited year round by 50 per
cent or more of all respondents are Onetangi Beach, Big Oneroa Beach, Little
Oneroa Beach, Matiatia Bay, Surfdale Beach, Blackpool Beach, Enclosure Bay,
Palm Beach, Sandy Bay and Owhanake Bay
o 78 per cent of respondents stated the
beach they visited most in summer was Onetangi Beach, Big Oneroa Beach, Palm
Beach, Little Oneroa Beach or Surfdale beach
· feedback
received from Auckland Council parks and animal management staff was that of
the beaches that are not subject to proposed rules for the purposes of
protection of wildlife, the following beaches should become under control
off-leash beaches as are there are no significant concerns regarding public
safety and comfort:
|
o Omiha Bay (known as Rocky Bay)
|
o Waiheke Bay
|
|
o Causeway Beach
|
o Piemelon Bay
|
|
o Putiki Bay
|
|
Submission
topic 2 – Time and season beaches – what times, dates and type of dog access
32. The proposal was to change the current time
and season rule to:
|
From 1 December to 1 March. On public
holidays and weekends between Labour weekend and Easter weekend
|
|
10 am to 6 pm
|
Before 10 am
and after 6 pm
|
|
prohibited
|
Under control
off-leash
|
|
All other times
|
|
Under control
off-leash
|
33. A total number of 64
submission points were received that relate to the topic, with 62 comments
on Waiheke Local Board area beaches in general and two issues being raised specifically regarding Onetangi Beach.
34. Over 50
of the submissions points were
made by submitters identifying themselves as local dog owners.
35. Four submitters generally opposed the proposed
time and season rules and three submitters expressed support for it.
36. Comments were made on the proposed season as
well as the daytime hours.
37. Submitters made 23 submission points regarding
the proposed season. Three submitters supported the proposed season, with the
remaining submitters requesting a shorter season, ranging from 17 December to 7
February to the proposed season (1 Dec – 1 Mar), but with no additional weekend
or public holiday restrictions.
38. On the proposed daytime restrictions, 12
submitters requested retaining the current mix of 4pm/6pm finish times and 15
submitters requested shorter daytime restrictions than those proposed. One
submitter supported the proposal hours and two submitters requested that dogs
be allowed under control on a leash instead of prohibited during the daytime
period.
39. Four submitters requested more restrictive
daytime hours including dogs to be prohibited between 10am and 6pm all year.
40. The tables below have been split between
comments on the daytime period of the time and season rule and the remaining
comments on the time and season rule for clarity and provide an overview of all
issues raised.
Table
2: Time and season beaches – what times, dates and type of dog access
|
Decision sought
|
Reasons why
|
# submission
points
|
|
Adopt region-wide season rule of
Labour Weekend to 1 March, not 31 March
|
Allows family outings with dogs
|
2
|
|
Beach is quiet
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Beach is quiet
|
4
|
|
Dogs help with owners health and
fitness
|
|
Support proposal as publicly
notified
|
|
3
|
|
1 December - Easter
|
Beach is quiet
|
2
|
|
Dogs help with owners health and
fitness
|
|
Current time and season too
restrictive
|
|
School holidays only
|
Beach is quiet
|
2
|
|
Dogs need adequate exercise
opportunities
|
|
Proposal unfair to responsible
dog owners
|
|
1 December - 8 February
|
Beach is quiet
|
2
|
|
Elderly people need to walk
their dogs before it gets dark
|
|
December 15-8 February
|
Beach is quiet
|
1
|
|
1 December - 7 February,
weekends and public holidays to Easter
|
Beach is quiet
|
1
|
|
1 December-1 March, no weekend
restrictions
|
Beach is quiet
|
5
|
|
During peak holiday period
|
|
1
|
|
24 December-1 February
|
Proposal too restrictive
|
1
|
|
As proposed
|
|
3
|
|
1 December - 1 March, weekends
between Labour Weekend and Waitangi Day
|
Beach is quiet
|
1
|
|
17 December-7 February
|
Allows family outings with dogs
|
1
|
|
15 December - 31 January, plus
weekends as proposed
|
Proposal unfair to dog owners,
too restrictive
|
1
|
|
Support proposal as publicly notified
|
Current time and season too restrictive
|
1
|
|
Dogs to be prohibited between 10am and
6pm all year
|
Wildlife protection
|
1
|
|
9am - 6pm
|
Beach is busy
|
1
|
|
Labour weekend to Easter dogs prohibited
at all times
|
Dogs jump on, lick, sniff or paw children
and adults
|
1
|
|
10-4pm under control on a leash
|
Proposal too restrictive
|
1
|
|
10-6pm under control on a leash
|
Boat owners with dogs need access to
beaches
|
1
|
|
10am - 4pm
|
Beach is quiet
|
6
|
|
Allows family outings with dogs
|
|
Beach is quiet
|
|
Keep 4pm/6pm mix
|
Beach is quiet
|
12
|
|
Elderly people need to walk their dogs
before it gets dark
|
|
Proposal unfair to dog owners, too
restrictive
|
|
10am - 5pm
|
Beach is quiet, dogs help owners with
health and fitness
|
7
|
|
Dogs need adequate exercise
opportunities, allows family outings with dogs, beach is quiet, dogs provide
social benefits
|
|
Proposal unfair to dog owners, too
restrictive
|
|
11am- 5pm
|
|
1
|
|
Onetangi
|
|
1
|
|
10am - 4pm
|
|
1
|
|
9am - 7pm
|
Beach is too busy
|
1
|
Staff comments
41. It is noted here that the Waiheke Local Board
is exempt from the requirement to consider using the region-wide standard
summer beach times and season (10am to 5pm, Labour weekend to 1 March).
42. Information gathered to support the
development of the statement of proposal is summarised as follows:
· of
the 209 locals responding to the online survey:
o the highest proportion of non-dog owners visiting a
beach on a summer weekend is between 10am and 4pm, with over a half of non-dog
owners also using the beach between 4pm and 6pm
o 52 per cent of dog owners do not consider that beaches
are busy between 4pm and 6pm on a summer weekend. Conversely 69 per cent of
non-dog owners consider beaches are moderate to very busy between 4pm and 6pm
on a summer weekend
o dog owners favour a time and season rule that allows
dogs under control on a leash between 10am and 5pm from 1 December
to 1 March, and allows dogs under control off-leash at all other times and
seasons
o non-dog owners favour a time and season rule that
prohibits dogs between 10am and 6pm during daylight savings (last Sunday in
September to the first Sunday in April), and allows dogs under control
off-leash at all other times and seasons.
Submission
topic 3 – Time and season beaches – Rakino Island
43. The proposal was to remove the current time
and season rule from Rakino Island beaches and allow dogs under control off a
leash at all times.
44. A total number of two submissions were
received on this topic, both of which were in support of the proposal, with the
reason provided being that boats owners with dogs need to be able to access the
beaches.
Submission
topic 4 – Onetangi Sports Park
45. The proposal was to apply
the region-wide prohibition of dogs on sports fields and use temporary change
provisions to allow continued use by dog obedience club.
46. A total number of 27 submissions were received on this topic. Two submitters supported the proposed
temporary change provisions for the dog obedience club. Of the remaining submissions,
20 were opposed to the proposal, requesting no change
being made to the current rules and five submitters supported the proposal.
47. The table below provides an overview of all
issues raised.
Table 1: Time and
season beaches – which beaches
|
Decision sought
|
Reasons why
|
# submission points
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly notified
|
All dogs should be allowed to use the fields
|
20
|
|
Dogs need adequate exercise opportunities, mix of rules
is too confusing
|
|
Great alternative when beaches are prohibited
|
|
Not aware of dog related damage to fields
|
|
Only flat area on island for dog walking
|
|
Provide exemption to prohibitions to Waiheke Dog
Obedience Club
|
|
2
|
|
Support proposal as publicly notified
|
|
5
|
Staff
comments
48. Submitters seemed unclear on what the current
rules are, with much of the commentary stating
or implying that submitters
consider the current rule is that dogs are allowed under control off a leash on
the sports fields when they are not in use. This is not the case. The
exemption allows for dogs to be under control on a leash at all times on the
sports fields instead of prohibited, which is the region-wide rule.
49. Three submitters who opposed the proposal
seemed to think the proposal included restricting dog access on the entire
Onetangi Sports Park rather than just changing the rules that apply when the
marked sports surfaces (playing fields) are not in use. It is unclear whether
this concern was shared by other submitters.
50. Feedback from Auckland Council parks and
animal management staff gathered to support the development of the statement of
proposal also indicates this confusion in the community.
51. The signage currently in place at Onetangi
Sports Park (legacy council signage) is also considered to contribute to this
confusion.
Submission
topic 5 –Clarification of confusing and ambiguous dog access rules –
significant ecological areas
52. The proposal was to apply an under control
on-leash rule to 15 beaches or beach areas and 19 adjacent local parks on the
western part of the island between Omiha Bay (also known as Rocky Bay) and
Piemelon Bay and prohibit dogs on nine beaches or beach areas and 5 adjacent
local parks on the western part of the island between Omiha Bay (also known as
Rocky Bay) and Piemelon Bay to protect wildlife.
53. The 148
pro-forma submissions that opposed the proposal as publicly notified asserts
the submitters’ position that they wish to retain all current off a leash
rules.
54. A further 96 submission points were made regarding the proposed rules, with
the majority of submitters commenting on specific locations.
55. Of the 16 general submission points made, one
submitter expressed support for the proposal and one submitter expressed
support for the on a leash areas proposed. Of the remaining submission points made,
eight were opposed to the proposal and the remaining six points sought less
restrictive rules.
56. The following locations received the most
submission points:
· 14 submission points were made opposing the proposed
rule at Owhanake Beach with 11 further points made in opposition of the
proposal for the Owhanake- Matiatia Walkway
· 11 submission points were made opposing the proposed
rule at Island and Fossil Bays
· The proposed rule at Te Toki Reserve
was opposed by 18 submitters
· For the proposed rules and Hekerua and Sandy Bays and adjacent reserves ten submitters requested that the rule be under control
on a leash instead of prohibited and a further four submitters opposed
the proposal in those locations.
· Eight submitters expressed opposition to the proposal
at Onetangi Beach
· Two submitters supported the proposal at Blackpool
Beach and two submitters expressed opposition to the proposal at Surfdale Beach
· Two submitters opposed the restrictions on the Te Ara
Hura Walkway.
57. Forest and Bird provided a detailed submission
which supported most points of the proposal but also made further
recommendations, which are summarised here:
· Dogs to be prohibited at all times:
|
o Matiatia Bay headland to headland and adjacent
sections of the Owhanake-Matiatia Walkway an Church Bay Esplanade
|
o Te Whau Peninsula:
All beach and
foreshore areas starting at the western end of Hitapa Bay and the adjacent
section of Te Whau Esplanade Reserve 1, including Te Whau Bay,Oakura
Bay,Wharetana Bay, Okoka Bay, Okoka Bay Dead Dog Walkway
|
o Newton Reserve and adjacent beach and
foreshore area (Little Oneroa towards Ladies Bay)
|
· Dogs to be under control on a leash at all times:
o Surfdale Beach headland to headland
· Dogs to be under control off a leash at all times:
o Owhanake Beach headland to headland and adjacent
section of the Owhanake Matiatia Walkway and Sandy Bay.
58. The table below provides an overview of all
other issues raised excluding the points made by Forest and Bird above:
Table 3:
Clarification of confusing and ambiguous dog access rules - protected wildlife
areas and Gulf Island areas
|
Decision sought
|
Reasons why
|
# submission points
|
|
Location unspecified
|
|
|
|
Allow dogs on-leash on walkways
|
Prohibition too restrictive
|
1
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Feral and domestic cats greater
threat to birds than dogs
|
8
|
|
No known penguins
|
|
Research in Sweden shows birds
are more vulnerable from humans than from dogs
|
|
Dogs help owners with health and
fitness and need adequate exercise opportunities
|
|
Waiheke is inhabited, not a
wildlife reserve and not a Department of Conservation island
|
|
Support for proposal as publicly
notified for on-leash areas
|
|
1
|
|
Restrictions should only apply
to breeding season
|
|
1
|
|
Support other pest control
mechanisms (eg feral cat control, rat bait stations)
|
Other pests more of a problem
than dogs
|
2
|
|
Support proposal as publicly
notified
|
|
1
|
|
All local parks
|
|
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Restrictions should relate to
nesting season and be supported by appropriate signage
|
2
|
|
Blackpool Beach
|
|
|
|
Support proposal as publicly
notified
|
|
2
|
|
Church Bay Esplanade Reserve
to Matiatia Beach, Korora Road Reserve, Newton Reserve, Dead Dog Walkway,
Owhanake Reserve to Matiaitia Walkway, The Esplanade Reserve Blackpool,
Waiheke Island Sports Club, Wharf Reserve, Wharf Road, Wilma Road Walkway and
Wilma Foreshore Reserve
|
|
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Never seen wildlife affected,
cats may cause more damage
|
1
|
|
Great Barrier Foreshore
Reserve
|
|
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
No known wildlife
|
1
|
|
Hekerua and Sandy Bays (and
adjacent reserves)
|
|
|
|
Allow dogs under control on a
leash at all times
|
Proposal is too restrictive for
responsible dog owners
|
10
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Dogs help owners with health and
fitness
|
4
|
|
Already heavily altered
environment, will not benefit wildlife, restrict dogs on less busy beaches
|
|
No known wildlife present
|
|
Dogs not interested in penguin
habitats. Cats at night more of a problem, provide nesting boxes.
|
|
Kauakarua Bay
|
|
|
|
Allow dogs to be under control
on a leash and/or prohibited at all times
|
Wildlife protection
|
1
|
|
Okoka Bay
|
|
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Waiheke is not a Department of
Conservation island.
|
1
|
|
Onetangi
|
|
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Board decisions should be made
on facts rather than perception
|
8
|
|
No evidence of penguins
|
|
Dogs help owners with health and
fitness
|
|
Allows family outings with dogs
|
|
Already heavily altered
environments, will not benefit wildlife, restrict dogs on less busy beaches
|
|
No known wildlife
|
|
People need to be restricted in
the restricted area as well
|
|
Mix of rules too confusing for
visitors
|
|
Owhanake
|
|
|
|
Allow dogs under control off a
leash at all times
|
|
1
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Allows family outings with dogs
|
13
|
|
Beach is quiet
|
|
Boat owners with dogs need
access to beaches
|
|
Community fought hard for this
beach to be accessible for dogs during summer
|
|
Never seen wildlife affected
|
|
Retain a summer dog walking
beach
|
|
Why should wildlife have
priority over pets
|
|
Owhanake-Matiatia Walkway,
Island and Fossil Bays
|
|
|
|
Allow dogs under control off a
leash at all times
|
|
1
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Decisions to be made on facts
rather than perception
|
10
|
|
Penguins not roosting on beach
|
|
Proposal unfair to dog owners,
too restrictive, dogs help with owners health and fitness
|
|
Beach is quiet
|
|
Submitter generally in support
of wildlife but proposal too restrictive
|
|
Palm Beach
|
|
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Allows family outings with dogs
|
1
|
|
Surfdale Beach
|
|
|
|
Allow dogs under control off a
leash at all times
|
|
1
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Proposed rule too confusing
|
1
|
|
Te Ara Hura
|
|
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Board decisions should be made
on facts rather than perception
|
2
|
|
Proposal unfair to dog owners,
too restrictive, dogs help with owners health and fitness
|
|
Te Toki Reserve
|
|
|
|
No change to current rules
|
Important park for all dogs and
their owners
|
18
|
|
Bushtrack provides important
shade for dogs and their owners in summer
|
|
No complaints known
|
|
Proposal unfair to dog owners,
too restrictive
|
|
Te Whau Walkway
|
|
|
|
Oppose proposal as publicly
notified
|
Proposal unfair to dog owners,
too restrictive, dogs help with owners health and fitness
|
1
|
|
|
|
|
Submission
topic 6 – Anzac Reserve
59. The recommendation contained in the statement
of proposal was to apply an under control on-leash rule to Anzac
Reserve.
60. Two submitters commented on the proposal. One
submitter supported the proposal and one submitter opposed to the proposal with
the reason given that Anzac Reserve is their local park where they walk their
dog.
Staff comments
61. The submitter opposed to the proposed rule for
Anzac Reserve (Belgium Street, Ostend) has stated their address is in Calais
Road, indicating the submitter may consider the proposal relates to either
Anzac Bay Reserve or Natzke Road Foreshore.
Submission
topic 7 - Other matters
62. The matters within the decision-making scope
of the hearing panel are limited to the matters contained in the proposal
(Attachment A).
63. Matters raised by submitters outside this
scope are included in this section for completeness. Should the hearing panel
wish to consider any of these matters’ an additional (and separate) process is
required.
64. The table below provides an overview of the
issues raised.
Table 7: Other matters
|
Decision sought
|
Reasons why
|
# submission points
|
|
Other matters: out
of scope
|
|
Comment relates to
Whakanewha Regional Park
|
Na
|
|
3
|
|
Council should
actively reduce dog numbers in Auckland
|
Na
|
|
1
|
|
Hunting dog
exemptions
|
Na
|
|
1
|
|
Other matters:
compliance and enforcement (including patrols)
|
|
Location unspecified
|
Provide more
enforcement
|
|
2
|
|
Other matters: dog
parks
|
|
Location unspecified
|
Provide more 'dog
parks'/'dog exercise areas'
|
Dogs help with owners
health and fitness and dogs need adequate exercise opportunities
|
4
|
|
Other matters:
signage and information
|
|
Location unspecified
|
Provide better or
more signage
|
|
2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Staff comments
65. In relation to operational matters:
· submission points relating to Whakanewha Regional
Park, these submissions will be considered as part of the review of regional
parks
· Auckland Council’s Policy on Dogs aims to keep dogs as a positive part of the life of
Aucklanders by maintaining opportunities for dog owners to take their dogs into
public places while adopting measures to minimise the problems caused by dogs
· Hunting dogs are not exempt from dog access rules.
This decision has not been delegated to the local board.
· Auckland Council’s Licensing and Compliance Services
provides enforcement
· The provision of dog park amenities is a matter for
the local board as part of its administration of local parks.
· signage will be improved as areas are reviewed or as
part of parks maintenance
Attachments
|
No.
|
Title
|
Page
|
|
aView
|
Statement of Proposal
|
23
|
|
bView
|
Decision-making framework
|
55
|
|
cView
|
Submissions Recieved
|
61
|
Signatories
|
Authors
|
Shireen Munday - Policy Analyst
|
|
Authorisers
|
Paul Wilson - Team Leader Bylaws
|
