06 May 2009

Proposed beach bylaw retains status quo

The proposed Kapiti Coast District Council Beach Bylaw 2009, to be considered by councillors tomorrow, retains the same provisions regarding nudity as the Kapiti Coast District Council Beach Bylaw 2002 it will replace, Chief Executive Pat Dougherty said today.

“Some people are under the misapprehension we intend to change the provisions of the bylaw and permit nudity on our beaches. This is not the case.

The existing 2002 bylaw:

• Does not include any specific controls over nudity on the beach. but
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• Provides for the Council to declare an area of the beach clothing optional (although this provision has never been used).
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The report to Council recommends that the new bylaw, the Kapiti Coast District Council Beach Bylaw 2009:

• Does not include any specific controls over nudity on the beach.
•
• Provides for the Council to declare an area of the beach as clothing optional, following public consultation.
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“The existing bylaw has been in place for many years with no reported problems. Any offensive behaviour has been quickly dealt with by the police using the Summary Offences Act 1981. The report to Council recommends that this status quo continue.

“The provisions in the proposed bylaw are no different to those used by the other local authorities in the Wellington region.

ends

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