Reprieve for horses, Waipapa Road contract awarded, animal fees simplified
A controversial requirement for owners and riders to immediately pick up horse droppings in all public places has been withdrawn from changes to the general by-laws adopted by the Far North District Council last week.
The draft proposal on horse faeces was brought forward earlier this year but was placed on the back-burner in a bid to find common ground between equestrian interests and supporters of the proposed by-law.
However the revised by-laws have now been adopted with all references to horse droppings withdrawn.
Waipapa Road contract awarded
Transfield Services (NZ) Ltd has been awarded a $1,683,884 contract for the second stage of the Waipapa Road widening project.
The contract includes the provision of roadside walking and cycling facilities, geometric and drainage improvements and the widening of the sealed carriageway. The Mawson Avenue (Waipapa) to Waitotara Lane second stage will extend the work already carried out on Waipapa Road by a further 1.59 kilometres.
Funding permitting, the third and final stage will be initiated next year.
Six complying tenders were received ranging from $1.999 million to $1.683 million.
Animal control fees simplified
A simplified fee regime has been adopted by the Far North District Council to encourage owners to register their dogs and owners to claim impounded stock rather than electing to abandon their charges to avoid penalties.
The new fee schedules which will come into effect from 01 July this year are expected to reduce the confusion over the existing complex fees and penalties schedules, while still enabling the council to recover actual costs.
The schedule provides for a standard fee of $40 for dog registrations if paid between 01 July and 31 August this year. This gives dog owners two months (previously one month) to register before a penalty fee is imposed.
The penalty fee for late registration has been standardized to $60 (previously up to $120). New dogs acquired during the course of the licensing year will pay the standard fee of $40. However there will be pro-rata fees for dogs attaining three months of age or dogs newly imported into New Zealand during the registration year.
Registration for neutered dogs will be free in the first year and the normal fee will apply in subsequent years.
Dog impounding fees have also been simplified to $30 for registered dogs and $60 for non-registered dogs or dogs which have been seized. In addition there will be daily handling fee of $10 per dog.
Impounding fees for other stock have also been simplified to provide for a standard fee of $60 per head for cattle and horses and $20 for sheep and pigs with a standard sustenance fee of $8 per day. Actual advertising, transport and staff costs will also be charged.
Further inquiries to:-
Communications Office
PH 0800 920 029