Progress on street trading policies
Auckland City Council
Media release
12 August
2009
Progress on street trading policies
As more businesses seek to use public land for commercial purposes, the council is continuing to develop its street trading policies.
“Street trading helps to create a vibrant city and is commonplace around the world. We want to ensure we get the balance right in enabling street trading activities in Auckland city while also maintaining a quality street environment, pedestrian safety and accessibility,” says Councillor Greg Moyle, chairperson of the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee,
“One of the key outcomes in developing the policies is to provide clear and consistent guidance and we will continue to work closely with key stakeholders to make sure their feedback is taken into consideration,” says Mr Moyle.
He says the development of the policies is important to improve transparency of council decision-making regarding the issuing of street trading licences.
The council is developing three distinct documents to reflect the different street trading activities:
• Street trading policy: the provision of outdoor dining facilities
• Street trading policy: the giving away of goods in public places
• Street trading policy: the sale of goods and services, including markets and street stalls, in public places
These documents will help to implement the Public Places Bylaw by setting out guidelines and criteria against which the council will consider applications for street trading licences.
A draft outdoor dining facilities policy was reported to the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee in March and endorsed for stakeholder consultation.
Officers are working through the remaining stakeholder feedback, with a final report expected to be presented to the committee in September for approval.
The two remaining policies have been drafted and propose that the giving away and sale of goods and services can occur in appropriate public places as defined by the policy for an appropriate licence fee, on the condition that the activities:
• Don’t compromise open space amenity and quality or local character
• Don’t obstruct pedestrian flow and other recreational activities
• Maintain appropriate health and safety
Officers will now undertake consultation with key stakeholders on these two draft policies, with the outcome due to be reported to the Arts, Culture and Recreation Committee in November 2009.
Explanation of the three street trading
policies in development
Street trading policy:
provision of outdoor dining facilities
This policy
addresses the street trading activity of the provision of
outdoor dining facilities for the consumption of food and/or
drinks, including those offered by a licensed premise. The
policy enables the provision by commercial operators, for an
appropriate licence fee, of outdoor dining facilities to
occur in public places adjacent to a premises used for the
same purpose.
Street trading policy: the giving away of
goods in public places
This policy addresses the giving
away of goods and the soliciting or collection of any
subscription or donation on a public place. It applies to
parks, reserves, streets, beaches and wharves, and considers
the licensing of commercial activities connected with groups
or organisations in public places.
Street trading policy:
the sale of goods and services, including markets and street
stalls, in public places
This policy addresses the
provision of commercial services on a public place and the
sale, display or dispensing of goods, including craft
markets, street markets and street stalls. Again, this
policy applies to locations such as parks, reserves,
streets, beaches and wharves, and considers the licensing of
street trading activities including hawkers and mobile
trader.
ENDS