The 2021 draft Community Local Law was endorsed by Council at the August meeting, with Council now seeking community feedback on the proposed changes.
Local Laws are put in place to protect the amenity of the municipality and the health and safety of the community. It’s not simply about compliance, but is about creating an environment that is equitable and fair where residents, business and visitors alike, can participate in the community with mutual respect and enjoyment.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Local Laws Team Leader, Jason Barker said the new local laws included a number of amendments which will better enable authorised officers and Council to maintain and improve the appearance of the Southern Grampians region, as well as improved definitions of existing laws.
“One proposed new law will give us a greater ability to ensure owners maintain properties including nature strips, enabling us to address dilapidated buildings – which we were not able to do before,” Mr Barker explained.
“A cat curfew is proposed to help address the large feral cat population currently within some areas of the Shire. Cat owners will be required to confine their animal to their property at all times to help reduce unplanned breeding and the destruction of native animal populations. We have seen this successfully introduced in other Councils and believe it will work here,” Mr Barker said.
Further changes include the introduction of permits for the planting of vegetation along roads (including nature strips); permits for scavenging at Council Transfer stations to improve safety of residents; regulation of feeding uncaged birds and animals on public and private property to reduce problematic animals; and the inclusion of powered/non powered boat usage timetable for Lake Hamilton.
Additional clauses pertaining to waste such as the separation of recyclables and organics have also been introduced in order to bring the Community Local Law up-to-date after last year’s introduction of the kerbside Food Organics and Garden Organics service.
Residents can see all amendments on the proposed draft 2021 Community Local Law and provide their feedback at www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au/haveyoursay. Hardcopy feedback can be addressed to:
Local Laws Coordinator
Southern Grampians Shire Council
111 Brown Street (Locked Bag 685)
Hamilton Vic 3300
OR council@sthgrampians.vic.gov.au
Hard copies of the document are available to view at Council’s customer service centres.