Te Ture ā-Rohe mo nga Tohu / Proposed New Signage Bylaw 2022 - Submission - October 2021
We contend the placement and type of signs on footpaths and surrounding areas can pose safety risks in terms of an obstruction on the pavement that could result in a fall or by obscuring visibility in the immediate road environment with the potential to lead to a pedestrian being injured or killed by a motor vehicle.
We recommend and support enhanced investment in strategies, policies and initiatives from Auckland Council, Auckland Transport and Waka Kotahi to support safe walking in Auckland.
We believe the provision of clear and consistent expectations in the use of signs is crucial to enhance the safety of pedestrians navigating footpaths and crossing roads. We contend robust efforts to support and enforce bylaw changes are imperative, to ensure the intent of the change in bylaws is upheld.
The Safety Collective contend that those who experience an injury or live with long term disabilities from an injury are at risk of being socially excluded in Tāmaki Makaurau.
We contend the placement of signs must be centred on the needs of pedestrians over the needs of advertising.
We recommend additional clarification of the difference between free standing and portable signs, including their ability to be moved. We recommend a description is provided to inform how freestanding signs are to be moved.
We recommend consideration be given to extending the areas where bans are in place for portable signs to ensure the safe movement of pedestrians.
We strongly support clause 11 (4k) – “must be able to be easily detected by a blind or visually-impaired persons using a cane”.
We strongly support clause 23 (1) – “A person must not display a sign that endangers public safety or causes a nuisance’.
We strongly support clause 24 in relation to ensuring signage enables the safe and effective movement of people and traffic both in land based and marine environments.
We recommend that the Australia New Zealand Water Safety standard AS/NZS 2416.3:2010 be used to inform decisions pertaining to signage located in open spaces (21) in and water environments where applicable.