Palmerston North's traffic and parking bylaw is under review, even before a city council working party considering public complaints about the parking meter system has made its recommendations.

The bylaw is one of several being put out for public consultation in an "omnibus" review.

The main purpose is to align the rules for the former Manawatu District area brought into the city in a boundary change last year with the city's own bylaws.

Policy analyst Peter Ridge said it was impractical to enforce different sets of bylaws within the city, so the review would revoke the Manawatu bylaws inherited with the boundary change area.

There are extra changes to the traffic and parking bylaw, "to clarify some of the rules and procedures", including a new clause giving the council explicit power to determine when parking fees could be waived.

But Cr Duncan McCann, a member of a working group set up to deal with a rising tide of discontent about the way the city's sensor parking system is enforced, said it would be better to delay.

"Why are we doing this now, given that there is a comprehensive parking management plan due to come out, and the working group might have some recommendations?"

Mr Ridge said it would be unwieldy to delay.

The speed limits bylaw had already been separated from the all-in-one process, and the liquor control bylaw review went ahead separately last year to iron out a glitch that put Massey graduation celebration in breach of the rules.

One of the most significant changes up for review is to allow shallow burials so a cemetery for natural burials could be provided.

Among the other bylaws that will be amended to include the boundary change area are Animals and Bees, Dog Control, Signs and Use of Public Places, and Water Supply.

The omnibus bylaw review will go out for public consultation on March 16, with submissions due by April 26, and a hearing in June.

- © Fairfax NZ News