We want to change our bylaw - it will affect you too!

We have made improvements to Napier’s Stormwater Bylaw.  Have your say on these proposed changes.

Everything that goes on the ground goes to the sea.  In most cases, the end destination of anything that is spilt, dropped, or dumped, washes into the stormwater system and heads straight to Te Whanganui-a-Orotū (Ahuriri Estuary).

The community are becoming increasingly aware of pollution from Napier’s urban waterways (which have shared ownership between Napier City Council and Hawke’s Bay Regional Council) and we want to do everything we can to reduce the degradation of the environment.

If we all work together, we can clean up our waterways. 

The most efficient and effective way of doing this is to stop pollution at its source – this means stopping dirt, dust and sediment, industrial byproducts, wash water, process water, and anything that doesn’t come from the rain, from getting into the stormwater system.

The Stormwater Bylaw is one of Napier City Council’s tools to protect our urban waterways from pollution. The proposed bylaw gives Council powers and responsibilities pursuant to the Local Government Act 2002. These powers are used in an effort to ensure that only rain water is discharged to the system.

What does this mean to you? 

The following would all be offences under the proposed bylaw:

• Washing dirt, mud and brake dust off your car with car wash foam, in the driveway and roadside.
• Emptying your pool into the stormwater system.
• Leaving your DIY project's sawdust on the driveway to be washed away by the rain.
• Dumping any rubbish or greenwaste in or near a stormwater drain.
• Washing industrial chemicals or oils off your forecourt and allowing it to drain into the stormwater.
• Allowing sediment from construction sites to wash into the roadside drains.

For more information about Napier's stormwater network and how we can all help clean up our waterways, go check out our recent education campaign.

Before making any decisions on the proposed Bylaw, the Council wishes to hear from you.  Submissions can be made using the below form or visiting the Napier City Council Customer Service Centre.

The Statement of Proposal

The Napier City Council proposes to revoke its existing Stormwater Bylaw 2012 and adopt a new Stormwater Bylaw 2019. This statement of proposal is prepared under Sections 83, 83AA and 86 of the Local Government Act 2002. This document contains a summary of the information contained in the statement of proposal; and a copy of the draft bylaw.