Roadside traders face fees under Council plan

Tim Stewart (left) and Nick Atkinson, former members of Supergroove, busking outside the Ferry Building. Photo / Jason Oxenham

Making a dollar entertaining and trading in streets and parks is about to involve more red tape and expense, with Auckland Council proposing to tighten controls on use of public space.

Ten different sets of rules left over from the region's former councils are being replaced with uniform bylaws aimed to bring all areas into line - for activities ranging from hiring out surf boards to handing out fruit juice samples.

Handing out promotional material and goods would need to be approved by the council, after it has vetted written content for offensive language. Fees are yet to be fixed.

But hardest hit will be Manukau and Papakura mobile traders, such as coffee cart operators, who are facing annual fees for the first time to use roadside spots.

Kids selling lemonade from a stall outside their homes and small fruit stalls with an "honesty box" will escape the need for official approval.

Council regulatory and bylaws chairman Calum Penrose said the proposal for bringing in regional rules would mean the level of change for traders would vary in different areas.

But it was important to have fairness and consistency, he said.

However, the idea of paying a new annual fee to the council did not go down well with Arrie Brown, who runs The Coffee Guy in Howick, next to Barry Curtis Park.

"There must be some type of facilities for street traders, say to wash their hands, not just to pay a fee for nothing."

The bylaws for outdoor dining areas will mean traders in the former Franklin and Rodney Districts will now pay an annual fee for putting tables and chairs on the footpath.

Council rules
Draft bylaw for trading and events in public places:
• Approval needed for outdoor dining areas, markets and stalls, mobile shops, fundraising, promotional material and/or goods, street performances and pavement artists, commercial services.
• Submissions to the council close on September 4.

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