Local Laws

Local laws are designed to secure community safety, protect public assets and enhance neighbourhood amenities, in order to make living in the City of Whittlesea ‘A Place for All’. Local laws cover a range of diverse topics - from unsightly land, fire safety, animals, roadside reserves and footpath trading to planting on nature strips and building sites. The Local Law also helps you understand your rights and responsibilities and empowers Council to respond to local issues to protect public and private space as well as the community’s health and safety.

All Councils have a Local Law that is designed to:

• Protect community safety and neighbourhood property.
• Protect our natural environment.
• Improve access and enjoyment of public places for the community’s benefit.
• Provide accountability and enforcement of incorrect community behaviour to benefit all residents in our community.

 

Local Law Reviews

There is a review of the Local Law every ten years to ensure it meets the community's needs. The Community Local Law 2024-2034 takes effect from 1 July 2024. A comprehensive Local Law aimed at addressing a wide range of critical community issues that our community told Council about during consultation.  These updates include fire safety, animal welfare, property regulations, vehicle management, and public behaviour. The new Community Local Law will help Council respond to issues and community needs within a local context. The new law has been simplified to make it easier for residents to read and understand.  Council will be helping the community to understand what has changed and how it impacts them. We have also developed a brief video explainer you can watch below, that outlines the changes.

Some of the key changes addressed by the new Community Local Law include;

• allowing the use of recreational fire pits
• restriction of long-term parking of trailers, caravans, and boats on Council land including on local roads.

Other changes to the law will enable Council to respond to community concerns, particularly around preventing illegal dumping, management of derelict and dilapidated buildings, and strengthening of dog attack laws.

For further information to help you understand the Community Local Law changes, including videos, frequently asked questions, and translated material, visit engage.whittlesea.vic.gov.au/LocalLawReview.