Local Law Review

Council is currently in the process of making a new local law designed to enhance public safety, to improve the amenity (the liveability) of your neighbourhood, and to protect Council’s public assets. It will replace the General Local Law of 2005.

A draft of the new Local Law No. 1 ‘Neighbourhood Amenity' (PDF 1.9MB) is available for your comment until 1 June 2012 (see below for details about how to make a submission to Council) as recently advertised in local papers (PDF 75kb).

It is accompanied by an explanatory document called the Local Law Community Impact Statement (PDF 1.2MB). You will find details of all changes and each new law in this document.

A number of changes are the result of feedback received during the earlier community and stakeholder consultation phase held in November 2011.

In addition, the structure and language of the law has been altered to make it more accessible. It is tabbed and carefully indexed. There are simplified explanations of many laws added.

Included in the new local law are Schedules of Officer Guidelines. These guidelines cover all discretions created under the new local law to both guide Council officers and allow transparency of decision making to assist you to understand the basis for decisions made under many of the laws.

Frequently asked questions

A Frequently Asked Questions (PDF 572kb) sheet has also been prepared to provide background information about the development of draft Local Law 1 ‘Neighbourhood Amenity’.

Community information sessions

If you would like more information about the draft local law, Council will be holding two community information sessions on Wednesday 16 May 2012:

• Wonthaggi Centennial Centre, 2.00pm – 4.00pm
• Cowes Cultural Centre, 7.00pm – 9.00pm.

How to make a submission

Any person may make a written submission relating to the draft Local Law 1 ‘Neighbourhood Amenity’.
All submissions received by Council on or before 4.00pm on Friday, 1 June 2012 will be considered in accordance with Section 223 of the Act. Submitters should note that all submissions are made available to the public in full (including any personal information).

Any person making a submission is entitled to request (in the submission itself) to be heard in support of the submission by appearing before a Special Committee of Council (either personally or by a person acting on his or her behalf) at 10.00am on Wednesday, 6 June 2012 at the Bass Coast Civic Centre Council Chamber, 76 McBride Avenue, Wonthaggi.

Submissions should be marked ‘Submission on Proposed Local Law No.1 Neighbourhood Amenity’ and lodged at the above office of Council, or posted to Bass Coast Shire Council, PO Box 118, Wonthaggi, Victoria 3995 or emailed to basscoast@basscoast.vic.gov.au.

Enquiries should be directed to Philippa O’Halloran, Community Safety Manager, on 1300 BCOAST (226 278).

Council will meet to consider making a local law in the form of the draft Local Law at its Ordinary Meeting on 25 July 2012.

Local Law's Purpose

• provide a safe and healthy environment in which the residents of the Shire are able to enjoy a quality of life that meets the general expectations of the community;
• prohibit, regulate and control activities which may be dangerous, unsafe or detrimental to the quality of life, the environment or property within the Shire;
• control nuisances and noise, odour and smoke emissions, and other discharges to the environment;
• control and prevent behaviour which is a nuisance, or which may be detrimental to health and safety or which affects the enjoyment of recreational or other facilities;
• protect Council and community assets and facilities in the Shire;
• regulate and control the use of roads by persons, vehicles and animals, and to regulate the parking of vehicles for the safety and fair use by people in the Shire;
• preserve and protect the Council’s assets from damage which may be caused from extraordinary use of streets and roads within the Shire;
• regulate and control roadside trading and movable advertising signs and display of goods on any land and in any public place;
• enable street parties, street festivals, processions and busking in a fair, equitable and safe manner which does not compromise the primary need for the passage of pedestrians and vehicles;
• enable collections on footpaths in a fair equitable and safe manner that does not compromise the primary need for the passage of pedestrians;
• implement standards for access by the disabled in the community.
• enable people in the Shire to carry out their day to day activities and to enjoy their recreational pursuits without having their peace and enjoyment interfered with or destroyed;
• recognise and respond to community expectations relating to the quality of life they expect and require and are capable of influencing;
• provide for the safe and efficient management and control of -
• dangerous and unsightly land or dilapidated premises;
• smoke emissions (particularly from chimneys) and incinerators;
• advertising, bill posting and junk mail;
• camping and temporary dwellings;
• circuses, carnivals, festivals and filming activities;
• interference with water courses;
• animals and birds, including animal numbers and the keeping and control of animals and birds;
• disposal of waste including behaviour associated with tips; 
• drainage tapping;
• noxious weeds;
• smoking and consumption of alcohol in Municipal properties;
• public health; and
• provide the administrative framework for the operation of the Local Law and repeal redundant Local Laws.