Droving, burning-off, shipping containers part of new laws

Permits for livestock droving and shipping containers, open air burning rules and clarity of unsightly properties are among amended local laws set out in a final draft by Baw Baw Shire.

After an extensive two year process, a final review of council’s community local laws document is out for public comment.

The Community Local Law guides council’s compliance, regulatory and community safety activities from the use of public land and animal keeping to construction sites and property amenity.

Waste management, animal managements, trucks parked on private land, stock crossing provisions and smoking and alcohol in public places were among key concerns raised during consultation.

Open air burning rules will be based on bushfire prone areas, rather than planning zones.

Burning off provisions will now apply to all land not in a designated bushfire prone area, not just in residential areas, with the exemption of cooking and heating purposes.

The restrictions also prevent open air burning on a road or road reserve, council land and reserve, Crown land or any public place.

The review process has included a number of local law amendments:

Increasing protection for vegetation identified on the significant tree register, including increasing penalties for offences;

Clarity on unsightly properties;

Consistent grass length allowances and more flexibility for grass or weeds used as animal fodder;

Removal of the Building and Works Code of Practice from the local law and inclusion of new clauses to simplify requirements in relation to construction and building sites;

Introduction of permits for livestock grazing and livestock crossings;

Introduction of permits for shipping containers or relocatable buildings on any land;

Introduction of permits for driving or parking on a public place or reserve (other than public road); and,

Empty waste bins must be returned to the owner or occupiers’ property as soon as possible and no later than 48 hours after collection.

Community members are urged to have their say to ensure the local laws remain consistent with community expectations.

Mayor Cr Danny Goss said a lot had changed in the shire since the 2016 local laws were adopted.

He said the revised version was based on extensive community feedback.

Cr Michael Leaney said the final draft reflected a considerable amount of community consultation.

“It’s now time for our residents to share their thoughts with council by making a submission,” he said.

Cr Annemarie McCabe said changes to regulations surrounding burning-off and noxious weeds were being made to improve or protect the community’s amenity.

Cr Joe Gauci said community members needed to look at the proposed document and go through the detail.

He said some of the regulations would affect a lot of people such as the burning off controls, noise complaints and noise on construction sites.

“Are there things here that people could complain about. It sounds negative but there are areas that have changed and people need to read this document.

“If they have issues they need to speak up because if there are no complaints this will go ahead,” he said.

Cr Darren Wallace said local laws affected people in a myriad of different ways.

“It’s time our community made a stand on their local laws,” he said.

Community consultation closes on June 1.