Initial consultation was undertaken in 2019, with further consultation undertaken in 2020. It included internal and external stakeholder consultation workshops, as well as online surveys and extensive media and social media coverage.
The consultation identified the following five priority areas to be addressed:
- Open air burning,
- Increased vegetation protection,
- Unsightly properties and noxious weeds,
- Noise and construction related issues, and
- Update definitions and clarity of some Clauses.
Additionally, feedback was received in relation to:
- Waste management,
- Animal management – noise and numbers,
- Driving or parking on or through Council land and reserves (not nature strip),
- Vehicles/trucks parked on private land,
- Recreational vehicle use and camping,
- Shipping containers and relocatable/temporary buildings,
- Livestock crossing provisions,
- Smoking and alcohol consumption in public places.
Feedback received was used to inform a draft amended Community Local Law 2016 which has been reviewed by a legally qualified person.
Primary amendments include:
- Increased Vegetation Protection – Increased protection for trees identified on the Significant Tree Register and increased penalties for offences
- Open Air Burning – Based on Bushfire Prone Area (BPA) rather than Zones
- Unsightly Properties / Noxious Weeds – Amended to: provide a clearer definition of unsightly; provide consistency in grass length allowances; provide allowances for grass and weeds used as fodder
- Noise and Construction Related Issues – Removed the Buildings and Works Code of Practice from the Local Law; inserted new Clauses to simplify requirements in relation to construction and building sites, and to provide controls on site access and hours of operation to minimise noise related issues
- Permit required for livestock droving, grazing and livestock crossings
- Permit required for shipping containers or relocatable buildings on any land
- Permit required for driving or parking on a public place or reserve (other than a public road)
- Prescribed times for leaving bins out after collection; specifications around types of waste for bins
- Introduction of numerous definitions including bushfire prone area (BPA), fire break, fodder, nuisance, recreational vehicle, significant tree and unsightly, amongst others.