Consultation now underway on the future of fishing off the pier

8 November 2006

People are already having their say on the future of fishing off New Brighton Pier, after the public consultation period opened on Saturday 4 November.

Christchurch City Council has already received 11 written submissions.

Rodney Chambers, Council’s Coastal Parks Area Head Ranger, says the Council has received numerous complaints about inconsiderate and sometimes unacceptable behaviour by some people who fish off it. The Council has decided that it is now time to address the problems associated with fishing off the pier. It wants to know what the community thinks before making a decision early next year.  

Five options have been identified for how the Council could manage fishing off the pier in the future:

• No changes – current unrestricted access and fishing rules apply, with limited enforcement.
• Increased enforcement and communication – onsite supervision, supported by a public education programme.
• Restricted fishing - allow fishing only at specified times or days.
• Total ban on fishing – with onsite enforcement.
• Structural addition to the pier – an additional platform to separate sightseers and fishers.

All members of the public are invited to attend a public meeting at the New Brighton Workingmen’s Club on Wednesday 22 November at 7.30pm.  Elected members and Council staff will be present to discuss the issue of managing fishing off the New Brighton Pier.

Brochures outlining the five options in detail, including submission forms, are available from Council service centres and libraries. Consultation information is also available online at www.ccc.govt.nz/haveyoursay

The public consultation period finishes on Friday 8 December. 

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