Local law enforcement
Local laws provides a local law enforcement program to service the needs of the local community as determined within Council's Local Laws. Its key objectives are to provide an effective response to complaints and concerns and to ensure community and individual compliance with Local laws and relevant State legislation, such as Transport Operations (Road Use Management Act) 1995. By so doing, this compliance will protect and enhance the health and safety amenity of Cairns.
The major activities are:
Overgrown allotments (vacant lands)
Upon receipt of a complaint relating to such an occurrence, a search is performed for the owner of the vacant allotment. Due notice must be afforded the owner to remedy the breach. Accordingly, 14 days is allowed for an owner living in the Cairns area, 21 days if living intrastate, and 28 days if living overseas. At the expiry of this time, and if no action has been forthcoming, a Enter and Clear Notice is sent to one of Council's subcontractors for the vacant land to be appropriately treated. The cost of this service is then added to the owner's rates notice for payment.
Activities on roads
It is a breach of Local Law No. 1 (Administration) 2011, Schedule 8 - Commercial use of local government controlled areas and roads to place a vehicle for sale on any Council-controlled road. Offenders will be issued with a Notice to remedy this breach, and any further or continued breach will result in a fine being applied. It is also a breach of Local Law No. 1 (Administration) 2011, Schedule 8 - Commercial use of local government controlled areas and roads for any person to place trestles or any other display of goods on a footpath without the prior approval of Council. Breaches of this condition will incur a penalty.
Abandoned vehicles
Any unregistered or abandoned vehicles parked on the side of a Council-controlled road or within Council land will be issued with a Notice under the Transportation Operations (Road Use Management) Act (1995). If the vehicle is not moved, it will be impounded and subsequently offered for sale by auction unless claimed within a specified time frame.
The major activities are:
- Investigate complaints and alleged breaches of local laws.
- Issue notices and directions as they pertain to local laws and legislation.
- Collect evidence and prepare reports in relation to the prosecution of offenders.
- Conduct auctions of abandoned vehicles under the provisions of the Transportation Operations (Road Use Management) Act (1995), and release, under approval, vehicles to owners and authorised purchasers.