At its August Meeting, Golden Plains Shire Council resolved to put the Draft Local Law No. 2 General Public Amenity out for public exhibition for residents to have their say.
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. In June, Council agreed to a review of the existing local law relating to public amenity. This review was informed by internal consultation within the organisation and with Councillors, and taking into account regular community feedback and complaints that Council had received on the existing local law over the past three years.
From this review process, Council created the Draft Local Law No. 2, which proposes a number of amendments that, if adopted, will lead to less restrictions in some cases while balancing the disruption that some activities can cause neighbours and the community. The proposed amendments cover a wide range of behaviours and activities, including:
- Motorbikes and Motorised Recreational Vehicles;
- Unsightly Land;
- Burning of Offensive Materials;
- Keeping of Animals;
- Shipping Containers; and
- Camping on Privately Owned Vacant Land.
The Draft Local Law No. 2 also proposes a number of new clauses and/or offences, including open air burning and use of incinerators; disposal of dead livestock; public litter; and firewood collection on roadsides.
Residents can access the Draft Local Law No. 2 and a Community Impact Statement detailing the proposed changes online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations. Hard copies can be requested by contacting Council's Customer Service team on 5220 7111.
The Draft Local Law No. 2 General Public Amenity is now out on public exhibition until 11.59am, Tuesday 22 September, 2020. Residents are encouraged to view the Draft Local Law and Community Impact Statement, and provide feedback online at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations, by email to [email protected]; or by mail to PO Box 111, Bannockburn VIC 3331 – marked 'Urgent - submission'. As part of their submission, residents may also request to be heard by Council in support of their submission at a future date.
Golden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey said Council embarked on this review due to feedback received from the community on the existing Local Law No. 2, and encouraged everyone to have their say on the draft local law.
“Through the feedback Councillors and Council staff have received over the past few years, we have identified a number of changes to make the Local Law less restrictive in some areas, while still balancing the disruption that other activities can cause which are the basis of complaints to Council.
“The Local Law is one of the primary ways local government and the everyday lives of residents meet, so I encourage everyone to have a read and have their say on the draft local law.”
The final Local Law No. 2 General Public Amenity will be considered by Council for adoption in early 2021.