Christchurch City Council has sent an invoice for $14,117 to the organisers of three protest events that occurred in Cramner Square and other parts of the city before Christmas.
The Freedom and Rights Coalition group, founded by Destiny Church leader Brian Tamaki, have been protesting the COVID-19 vaccine mandates and lockdown for months, frustrating local residents.
The fine covers the temporary traffic management (TMP) cost ramifications from the protest.
A spokesperson from the council said they are writing to the organiser of the Destiny Church services to tell him to stop using the square at least until a permit has been applied for and granted.
Another invoice will be sent to cover the costs of protests held after Christmas.
The Christchurch City Council said in a statement to Newshub they will be meeting with police to discuss the situation.
Police said they are continuing to look into whether any breaches have occurred.
Cranmer Square is a special park in a residential area that only commemorative events such as ANZAC Day Services are held.
General Manager Infrastructure, Planning and Regulatory Services at the Christchurch City Council, Jane Davis, said they are concerned that the organisers of the protests have been temporarily setting up temporary stages, toilets and food trucks without permission from the council.
Davis said the protests and church services are upsetting local residents.
"We totally share the frustration of residents who have complained to us about the impacts of the noise and behaviour associated with their events on their neighbourhood," Davis said. "We are pursuing all avenues to minimise, or preferably eliminate, the adverse impacts on the Cranmer Square residents."
Locals have said there is a lack of policing of the law and their rights as residents have been ignored.
Residents are frustrated with the hundreds of noisy protesters and unpermitted events taking place almost every weekend for months.
