FAQs

Property owners are usually responsible for maintaining berms and vegetation outside their property boundary unless Council owns the land.

For more information please refer to our Berm Maintenance Policy

Council may issue a notice requiring trimming if vegetation blocks visibility or creates a safety hazard to road users.

Recent law changes limit Council’s ability to require off-street parking in new developments. This has increased on-street parking pressure, leading to stronger enforcement around:

• Footpaths
• Berms
• Intersections
• Visibility zones

No. Parking on footpaths or berms can damage infrastructure and block pedestrian access. Council enforces this to improve safety and accessibility.

Parking controls are reviewed as part of Council’s Traffic and Parking Bylaw. Future changes may include time limits or paid parking where required.

1. Use the Snap Send Solve app to report an issue direct from your smartphone
2. Contact our customer services team, and have the following information ready:
   • Vehicle registration number
   • Vehicle details (colour and make)
   • Exact location of the vehicle
   • Your contact name and phone number
   • Optional but helpful: A photo showing the vehicle’s registration and the offence being committed.

Crossings are installed based on:

• Traffic volumes
• Pedestrian demand
• Safety risk
• Visibility and road layout

Not every request can be approved, but locations are prioritised based on need.

In some cases, developers are required to fund crossings as part of new subdivisions. Others are funded through Council’s transport budget.

Learn more about crossings on our Road Safety site

Potholes form when water enters cracks in the road surface and weakens the pavement, especially during wet or cold weather.

Council maintains and resurfaces roads annually. Residents are encouraged to report potholes using Snap Send Solve, which helps prioritise repairs.

Generally no. Roads are not guaranteed to be defect-free, and vehicle damage should be claimed through your insurance provider.

Projects are planned through the National Land Transport Programme (NLTP) in partnership with NZTA Waka Kotahi.

Funding, safety assessments, design work, and consultation all affect timelines. Weather and emergencies can also impact delivery schedules.

Significant projects are documented in the Long-Term Plan (LTP) and NLTP, which can be reviewed at our Long-Term Plan 2024-2034 website

Each year, an average of seven people are killed and around 40 are seriously injured on Selwyn roads. Most crashes are caused by driver behaviour, not road conditions. The Council focuses on education, safer road design, and working with Police to reduce risk.

Council uses a mix of:

• Road safety education
• Engineering improvements
• Speed management
• Collaboration with NZTA Waka Kotahi and Police

All initiatives are based on risk assessments and available funding.

Variable 30km/h speed limits operate around schools during drop-off and pick-up times to reduce the risk of serious injury to children. These limits are legally enforceable when active and supported by signage.

Speed limits must be set through an approved Speed Management Plan and registered with NZTA Waka Kotahi. Council cannot arbitrarily change speed limits.

Residents can request a review, but any change must meet national criteria and go through a formal approval process before it becomes enforceable.

There are lots of resources and further information from the following websites:

• NZTA Waka Kotahi – Speed Management
• Selwyn District Council – Speed Management Plan

Yellow lines are installed primarily for safety reasons, such as improving visibility, maintaining traffic flow, or preventing parking in dangerous areas. They are not installed for convenience.

Not usually. Yellow lines are installed following assessments and legal processes. They are only removed if a formal review shows they are no longer required for safety or traffic efficiency.