Bass Coast Shire Council is currently reviewing its Local Law and is calling on the community to provide feedback on the proposed changes.

Bass Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Michael Whelan said that the Local Law must be reviewed every 10 years, to ensure it continues to meet the needs of the community.

“The purpose of this review is to identify what is working well in our current Local Law, any gaps in the legislation and new and emerging issues to be incorporated into the Local Law,” Cr Whelan said.

The feedback period will run until Sunday, 13 February. The community can view the current Local Law, a Summary of Key Changes and provide feedback at www.basscoast.vic.gov.au/locallaw.

“We have created a Summary of Key Changes which identifies areas of the Local Law that we are looking to change, delete or add to. We welcome feedback on the proposed changes, as well as anything that is in our current Local Law or anything that you think may be missing. This will help us to draft a new Local Law that meets our community’s needs,” Cr Whelan said.

“Local Laws address local issues to improve public safety, enhance the liveability of our neighbourhoods and protect public assets.

“The Local Law covers a range of things - from unsightly land, roadside and footpath trading and planting on nature strips, to building sites.

“Local Laws affect everyone who lives, works or visits Bass Coast, so we encourage everyone to have their say on this important project.”

One of the proposed changes to the Local Law is to include Short Stay Accommodation. Previously, Council registered Short Stay Accommodation under The Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 through the ‘Holiday Home Registration’ process. The Local Law Review has provided the opportunity to develop a more streamlined and efficient process for the registering and management of Short Stay Accommodation.

Following the feedback period, the information gathered will be used to draft the new Local Law. Community feedback will also be sought on the Draft document.