Central Otago has a new footpath management policy, aimed at setting a fair strategy for business owners while meeting the needs of footpath users, such as those with mobility scooters or prams.
At a meeting last week the Central Otago District Council planning and environment committee approved the draft strategy, which had been prompted by the concerns of the public.
CODC planning and environment manager Louise van der Voort presented a report to the committee stating the council had received complaints about footpaths cluttered with signs, flags, sandwich boards, tables and chairs.
Ms van der Voort said a lot of complaints were anecdotal, and made to staff at visitor information centres as well as to residents.
They centred on people struggling to compete for space on footpaths with business-associated clutter.
Ms van der Voort's report said footpath activity was previously covered by the council's general bylaws as well as other policies and guidelines, but they contradicted one another in places and were outdated.
"It was therefore considered appropriate to review both the activities and the policies with the aim of designing one single policy that meets the needs of businesses and the community," it said.
The approved policy permitted each business one free sandwich board, after which it would cost $75 for consent for additional signs.
It also allowed for alfresco dining and display tables, but only to the extent they did not hinder footpath traffic.
