Published on 25 Mar 2025

Creating a simple, accessible regulatory framework for Far North communities: Review of Public Places Bylaws

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Jacqui Haggland Senior Consultant Contact me
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Stuart Beresford Senior Consultant Contact me

The Far North District Council needed some support delivering on its policy work programme, particularly policy relating to public places where the issues involved are complex. Allen + Clarke was asked to review and update the suite of policies and bylaws relating to the use of public places and open spaces in the region, including assessing whether these instruments could be simplified or the topic areas combined in a more effective and efficient manner. 

 

  • We simplified the regulatory structure by consolidating multiple instruments into one cohesive Public Places Bylaw, reducing administrative burden and improving compliance.
  • Our practical solutions for managing freedom camping and events aligned with best practice from comparable councils.
  • We established a framework for regular bylaw review, preventing future regulatory gaps and ensuring continuous compliance with legislation.

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Our practical approach ensured legal compliance while making public space management simpler for both council staff and community members.

A Perfect Storm of Expiring Regulations

Far North District Council manages an extensive network of public spaces throughout their region. The Council faced three critical issues - several key bylaws had automatically expired over the past two years, including those governing reserves, public places and mobile shops. Additional bylaws for parking, traffic control and beach access were approaching expiration. These regulatory gaps hindered the Council's ability to manage public spaces, process applications, or provide consistent community guidance. 

Allen + Clarke worked closely with the Council to streamline the regulatory framework and develop new policies to manage events on public spaces. 

 

  • Reviewed existing Council documents against legal requirements. 

  • Compared approaches from similar territorial authorities. 

  • Conducted a comprehensive regulatory scan to identify compliance gaps. 

  • Examined best practice examples for events management and assessed whether specific bylaws were needed for certain activities. 

  • Created practical policy options that balanced administrative efficiency with community needs. 

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The Council needed to simplify and consolidate

Our analysis revealed several key issues that needed addressing. The Council's regulatory framework had become fragmented over time. Many bylaws were expired or nearing expiration, creating significant regulatory gaps. No formal frameworks existed for some activities of concern, such as driving on public beaches. Inconsistent definitions and outdated legal references appeared across different instruments. 

We developed practical recommendations focused on consolidation and consistency: 

  • Combined related regulations into one comprehensive Public Places Bylaw instead of maintaining numerous separate instruments. 

  • Improved administrative efficiency by creating consistent licensing provisions across different activities. 

  • Strengthened the legal basis for existing rules through proper legislative alignment. 

  • Incorporated events management provisions directly into the Public Places Bylaw rather than creating a standalone policy. 

  • Streamlined freedom camping regulations alongside general camping provisions, with specific conditions that could be easily updated. 

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Real Results for Council and Community

Our work delivered significant benefits:

  • A clear roadmap for consolidation that created a more cohesive, consistent regulatory framework. 

  • Reduced administrative complexity while maintaining appropriate protections for public spaces. 

  • Clear guidelines for community members using public spaces. 

  • Improved processes for reviewing and updating bylaws, preventing future expirations. 

  • A proactive approach ensuring continuous compliance with legislation. 

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