Council’s attitude draws criticism

Press, 7 September 1989, Page 18

Council’s attitude draws criticism

The Waimairi District Council was “turning a blind eye” to roadside produce outlets that were selling produce not grown on their own property, contrary to laws set down in the Town and Country Planning Act, said a stall owner.

The stall owner, who did not want to be named, said that by law roadside produce outlets could sell only produce grown on the shop site or on other land owned by the applicant.

This ensured such outlets were not given an unfair advantage over suburban and town fruit and vegetable outlets with higher overheads.

The stall owner said his shop had been at the Belfast site since 1941 and he had existing rights to sell produce other than that grown on the site. But he had ’ also spent about $15,000 in fees and applications to protect those rights. “I would prefer it if the Waimairi District Council wiped the by-laws entirely so, everyone could do as

they liked, then it would be fair.

“For now, they should police the laws they set down,” he said. The stall owner said he knew of another stall that had been bought only for the shop. The orchard on the property was not being used. “I don’t know where they get their produce from that they’re selling but, the land the shop is on it not being used at all,” he said.

“These people don’t give two hoots about legislation. They see easy money there and they’ll go out and take it-

“We’ve told the council about these outlets but, they don’t seem to be doing anything about it,” he said.

Ms Fiona Norton, a town planner for the Waimairi District Council, said the council was “very involved in policing these outlets.”

“It’s very difficult because the onus is on the council to prove that such outlets do not have exist-

ing rights to sell produce not grown by themselves. “Without any rights to access on these properties • and with little proof, it’s hard work,” Ms Norton said.

Ms Norton said that while the council was fulfilling its obligations to police the rules, it was also querying whether the present regulations were appropriate for today’s circumstances.

Ms Norton was uncertain whether any definite changes were expected in the near future on rules governing such outlets. “The rules were set to ensure that while the rural produce outlets provided something new for the shopper — fresh off the farm — they did not compete unfairly with town outlets that had to trade with greater overheads,” she said.

“It’s simple enough to pick up those selling bananas, citrus and the like but, these buying cauliflowers, cabbages and so are much harder,” Ms Norton said.