Buskers in central Whangarei could soon be asked to audition if they want to perform more than three hours a week.
Whangarei District Council is reviewing its Public Place Bylaw, and looks set to adopt a number of recommendations around busking, horses on beaches and bikes and skateboards in the CBD at a meeting in two weeks' time. Councillors discussed the proposed changes at an extra-ordinary meeting yesterday.
WDC bylaw co-ordinator Mike Henehan recommended introducing a shorter time limit for buskers - a maximum of one hour three times a week - with those who display with "greater talent and professionalism" able to apply for a special permit to be able to perform for longer.
Currently, buskers require a $10 permit from council to busk in the Cameron St Mall, and are restricted to busking two to three times a week, 90 minutes per day provided they are moving every 30 minutes, according to WDC customer services team leader Marc Donaldson.
If councillors vote to adopt the recommendations at the September 24 meeting, talented buskers would apply to council to be what would be called "preferred buskers", he said. "The exact process of identifying a "preferred busker" and who will make the decision has not yet been sorted out."
