Proposed Stock on Roads Bylaw 2017

The Council is seeking feedback on proposed changes to the rules for moving stock along and across roads. The changes are set out in the proposed Stock on Roads Bylaw, which would revoke and replace the existing Stock Control Bylaw 2008.

Submissions were heard in October 2017.  The Hearings Panel reported back to Council on 23 November 2017, recommending the Council adopt the proposed bylaw, with amendments as a result of consultation. The Council adopted the bylaw which will come into force on 1 March 2018.  The final form of the bylaw will be put on this website when it has been formally adopted, and will replace the 2008 bylaw. 

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The purpose of the proposed bylaw is to regulate the movement of stock on roads in order to protect people, traffic and stock, while safeguarding the condition of the road.

There are different requirements on different roads, and for different types of stock.

Roads

• Higher risk roads: The bylaw contains a register (the Restricted Roads Register) listing roads that are considered higher risk for the movement of stock. Before moving stock on these roads, farmers need to contact the Council so that the risks can be assessed and managed.
• Excluded roads: The bylaw does not apply to roads that are state highways, private roads, unformed roads (such as paper roads), and roads that are not maintained by the Council.
• Cattle stops: Where roads are unfenced and stock are controlled by cattle stops, there are no restrictions on the movement of stock
• Standard conditions: On all other roads, the standard conditions for the movement of stock along or across roads apply (if the stock are sheep or non-dairy cattle). 

Stock

• For the movement of non-dairy cattle and sheep on roads not listed on the Restricted Roads Register, the standard conditions apply
• For dairy cattle and all other types of stock, an assessment needs to be undertaken so that the risks can be assessed and managed.

Moving sheep or cattle (not dairy) along or across roads

Moving dairy cattle or non-standard stock along or across roads

There are some changes to the standard conditions for the movement of stock along or across roads, including requiring everyone moving stock on roads to wear high visibility vests, and new requirements for signs (some of which may need to be vehicle-mounted), as well as flashing amber beacons when moving stock along roads. 

View the full proposed bylaw before making your submission

Read

The bylaw also covers

• requiring approval for roadside grazing, and fencing requirements for roadside grazing, or for moving stock along roadside verges (in a temporary stock race);
• contamination and damage of the road surface; and
• the installation, maintenance and removal of cattle stops.

There is a greater risk from uncontrolled stock on roads, than for stock that are under control.  A new clause has been added requiring stock owners to prevent stock from escaping and wandering on roads.  Boundary fences should adequately contain the stock, should be kept in good order, and should be appropriate for the type of stock.

There are some exemptions in the bylaw for emergency conditions and extreme weather events, such as fires, snow or floods, where stock may need to be moved in order to ensure their welfare.

The bylaw would be made under the Local Government Act 2002 and the Land Transport Act 1998, and the bylaw penalties set out in those acts would apply, which is generally a fine on prosecution.

Further information

You can call 03 941 8999 or email engagement@ccc.govt.nz.

What happens next?

• Submissions close on Monday 25 September 2017.
• A Hearings Panel will hear submissions in October.
• The Council will consider all submissions, make its decision and then let submitters know the outcome.
• The new bylaw is expected to come into force by the end of this year.