Farm Animals on Town Sections
It's
usually allowed to keep farm animals on town sections - provided the
animals are well cared for and are not causing a nuisance to neighbours.
Nuisance would be controlled by the Council using the Health Act 1956.
The sort of nuisance that raises concern includes:
- the animal wandering onto a neighbour's property - adequate fencing is required
- offensive smells, flies or vermin caused by inappropriate management of the animal
- loud noise such as a rooster crowing.
The Council discourages people from keeping roosters in the urban
area. If the Council receives continuing noise complaints from neighbours, the Council will require the removal of the animal, or remove it themselves.
Unwelcome Visitors
Bees and Wasps
If
you have a problem with bees or wasps on your property, you will need
to arrange for their removal. The Council doesn't deal with bees or
wasps on private land.
If they are nesting on public property we
will remove them. We can only do this once a nest has been formed - we
can't do anything while bees are swarming.
Rats and Mice
The
Council can offer you advice on how to control rats and mice, but it is
the property owner's responsibility to get rid of them, or bring in a
pest control company to do the job.
Mosquitoes
'Mossies'
like to turn up uninvited, and can take the fun out of an evening
barbecue. Mosquitoes breed in still or slow-moving water - take steps to
eliminate the chances of mosquitoes taking up residence in your
backyard.