Council to consult on speed bylaw

New Plymouth’s four community boards have recommended the council consults with the community on changes to setting speed limits.

After updates to the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2017 were passed by the Government, New Plymouth District Council also had to update its own bylaw. The changes are mostly technical and there is no change to current speed limits, but the legislation needs to be put in place for future changes, the report from senior policy adviser Greg Stephens said.

The changes would allow council to set speed limits at more private venues, including marae and cultural reserves, but it is likely this would only happen at the owners’ request. The Kaitake, Inglewood, Clifton and Waitara community boards all endorsed the officer’s recommendation. It will now be discussed by Te Huinga Taumatua Committee tomorrow.

Meanwhile, Waitara board chair Andrew Larsen said in his activities report that he had attended a community meeting discussing the sale of the Lepperton Hall, following on from a presentation from residents Steve Lepper and Angie Benn who were concerned about the loss of green space.

‘‘Community board members, a north ward councillor, the mayor and council officers attended and spoke at the meeting’’. The council and community representatives, were ‘‘working to find a solution to the issue.’’