The Dunedin City Council is reviewing its keeping of animals (excluding dogs) and birds bylaw, and last month requested submissions on the review, specifically asking for comments on roosters and bees.
The Waikouaiti Coast Community Board’s submission will be tabled at its meeting on Wednesday night, and said roosters and other noises such as sheep and farm machinery should be allowed.
The submission, which was signed by chairman Alasdair Morrison, said the current bylaw did not differentiate between urban and rural areas.
"We believe this should change and we wish to emphasise that Dunedin city does not end at the top of Pine Hill."
It said while roosters might not be desirable in city suburbs, there were fears of "reverse sensitivity", with city folk moving to the country and complaining about the noise from existing rural activities.
These concerns were exacerbated by the 2nd generation district plan’s ongoing variation 2 process. Variation 2 is designed to alleviate shortages of housing, and may allow some rural land to be rezoned to residential.
"We believe that your updated bylaw should make some provision for longstanding ‘rural’ activities to be able to coexist with new ‘residential’ areas."
The submission said the review’s specific request for comments on roosters and bees might invite complaints.
It provided no specific feedback on bees except to say bees were a vital part of the environment and any restrictions would have to be carefully considered.
