Cr Cathy Casey is heading to Wellington on Sunday to Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) annual general meeting seeking support for Auckland Council’s remit on banning the private sale and use of fireworks.
Auckland Council is seeking the support of councils nationwide for a ban on the sale and private use of fireworks in the hope it strengthens the case to central government for legislative change. The council has tabled a remit asking that LGNZ work with central government to introduce legislation to ban the sale of fireworks to the general public and end their private use. Mayor David Ayers of Waimakariri District Council is seconding it.
Cathy supports the ban because Aucklanders have had enough of the unnecessary distress and injury inflicted on people and animals as well as the fires and damage to property caused by the private misuse of fireworks in so many communities across New Zealand. She says “The pressure fireworks put on our country’s emergency services is huge, as is the pressure on the council’s resources to respond to the hundreds of noise complaints about the setting off of fireworks on private property, and it’s not just one night of the year, it happens year-round.
The time is right, there is a mood for change to better protect our communicates, animals and native wildlife. Last year 18,000 people signed a petition seeking a total ban on fireworks sales that was presented to parliament” Whanganui District Council also polled its citizens and like Auckland a majority (68%) supported the ban.
Councils will vote on a record 24 remits at the AGM on Sunday, held in Wellington as part of the 2019 LGNZ Conference.
Covering issues as varied as climate change, fireworks, tourist accommodation, building defects, campgrounds, alcohol, road safety and the beauty industry, remits are a further opportunity for councils to direct the advocacy work of Local Government New Zealand.
LGNZ is made up of 78 local, regional and unitary councils.
Related reading:
Council survey finds most respondents want fireworks restricted to public displays
Contact: Cathy Casey
Mobile 0274 744231