As part of the current consultation on the proposed Draft Local Law No. 2, Council has received a number of questions relating to the section on use of motorcycles on private land. Here are the facts:
Quick Facts
- Like many Councils, Golden Plains Shire’s current Local Law No. 2 has a requirement for residents to have a permit to ride a motorcycle or motorised recreational vehicles on their property.
- Council is reviewing this law and actually proposing to relax this regulation to allow residents, between the hours of 10am and 6pm, to ride motorbikes without a permit for:
- One hour a day in Low Density and Township Zones
- And two hours a day in Rural and Farming Zones
- For residents who want to ride their motorbikes for longer periods, only one permit is needed for each property, with agreement from adjoining neighbours.
- The existing permit fee per property of $115 covers Council’s administration and enforcement of the Local Law No. 2, including resolving complaints and neighbor disputes.
- The Local Law exists to protect the amenity of the Shire, and the health and safety of the community and seeks to strike a balance so that all residents can enjoy their properties and rural lifestyle.
- These requirements do not apply to the use of Motorised Recreational Vehicles whilst undertaking farming activities and primary production on land zoned Rural or Farming.
- Council receives regular complaints about the use of motorbikes and motorised recreational vehicles on private land, the noise made, and the amount of time they are being used.
- Council is pleased that residents are interested in the Local Law No. 2 and encourage everyone to have their say.
Background
Golden Plains Shire Council is currently inviting public feedback on its Draft Local Law No. 2, which would replace the existing Local Law adopted in 2017.
The main objective of Council’s Local Law No. 2 is to protect the amenity of the Shire, and the health and safety of the community. The Local Law No. 2 covers a wide range of behaviours and activities, from unsightly land to burning of offensive materials. Council has developed the Draft Local Law No. 2 based partly on regular community feedback and complaints received on the existing Local Law over the past three years.
One of the areas covered by the Local Law No. 2 is the use of motorbikes and motorised recreational vehicles on private land. Council receives regular complaints relating to their use on private land, the noise made, and the amount of time they are being used.
Under the current Local Law, a permit is required for any recreational use of a motorbike on private land. The Draft Local Law No. 2 proposes to relax this regulation to allow residents in Low Density and Township Zones to use a motorbike for one hour per day without a permit, and residents in Rural and Farming Zones to use a motorbike for recreational purposes for up to two hours a day without a permit, between the hours of 10am and 6pm. Only one permit per property would be required if a resident would like to use a motorbike for longer than these time periods, with agreement from adjoining neighbours.
Under the existing Local Law, a permit fee of $115 is payable for use of a motorbike on private land. This fee goes towards processing the application, contacting neighbours of the applicant to identify any concerns with the application, and investigating and enforcing any breaches of permits or the Local Law.
Council welcomes feedback on all sections of the Draft Local Law No. 2, until 11.59am, Tuesday 22 September, and residents and ratepayers can have their say online on Council’s website, by email or by post. You can find more information on the Draft Local Law and how to provide feedback here. All feedback received will be considered in refining the draft document, which will be considered by Council in early 2021.