Smoke-free discount plan

New Plymouth restaurants offering on-street dining could get a 50 per cent reduction in fees for making their tables smoke free.

The proposed on-street dining policy and guidelines would halve the $300 annual cost of an encroachment licence. Two new charges of $85 for the transfer and renewal of an on-street dining licence, on top of the encroachment licence fee, are also being proposed.

New Plymouth District Council’s Planning Committee discussed the issue on Wednesday and voted to send the proposal for public consultation, with current licence holders also invited to offer feedback.

Total revenue from 51 on-street dining establishments was $40,108.11 in the last year, with Peggy Gordons pub providing the largest amount, with $4850.98.

Should the smoke-free incentive be adopted the average loss in council revenue would be $385.65, up to a possible $20,054.06. The policy also discourages drinking at on-street dining establishments without also eating a meal.

Policy development lead Mitchell Dyer told councillors it had previously not been possible to transfer an on-street dining licence to a new owner. Complaints made by the public could also be considered at the time of licence renewal under the new policy, he said.

‘‘We’re basically looking at good practice guidelines,’’ he said.

Councillor John McLeod said rather than a discount for smokefree outdoor dining, a discount for alcohol-free establishments should be considered.

‘‘Why aren’t we being community leaders and saying what about a non-alcohol 50 per cent [reduction]? We could be the forefront of local government in New Zealand.’’

Mayor Neil Holdom said the hospitality sector had to be supported.

‘‘Obviously after the changes to the smoking laws they were looking to accommodate their patrons. It’s a tough trade to make a buck out of. Often it’s the licensed sale of alcohol that actually keeps these businesses going.’’

Meanwhile, it was discovered that the official speed limit record for Northgate was 70kmh, while the actual and posted limit is 60kmh. The official records would be updated, councillors were told.

The committee also agreed to adopt the new Speed Management Bylaw and technical changes to the Speed Limit Schedule for consultation to match the revised national Land Transport Rule.

They also recommended to council to support vesting Tarata Domain in Nga¯ ti Maru as part of the Treaty of Waitangi settlement, with NPDC remaining the administering body, and Purangi Domain being invested in Nga¯ ti Maru outright.

‘‘It’s a tough trade to make a buck out of. Often it’s the licensed sale of alcohol that actually keeps these businesses going.’’ New Plymouth Mayor Neil Holdom