Driveway car washing banned as Napier City Council passes stormwater bylaw

Napier City Council has adopted a new stormwater bylaw it hopes will go a long way towards getting rid of the pollution that has dogged crown-jewel recreation and conservation area the Ahuriri Estuary and Pandora Pond.

The bylaw, which struck a bit of a speed-bump with conditions which effectively outlaw a Kiwi tradition of driveway-runoff car washes, was adopted at Thursday's council meeting and will take effect on February 1.

But the council won't be in any hurry to take the stick to those who haven't got things in order on time, planning an educational approach first, setting target-focused environment management plans with industry and taking action against the non-compliant only when it becomes clear there's no other option.Read more