Chance to comment on proposed Local Laws changes

Residents will have the chance to have their say on proposed changes to the local laws that govern a wide range of activities that impact the community.

Council today endorsed that the proposed amendments across 12 existing Local Laws and an additional Local Law specifically governing waste management be open to the community for consultation.

The suggested amendments reflect the needs and expectations of the community on a range of issues from fines for wandering dogs to mechanical work being carried out on roads.

Mayor Bob Manning said the Local Laws review process was a unique opportunity for residents to influence how day-to-day activities are regulated.

“We receive thousands of suggestions and complaints from residents and businesses every year,” Cr Manning said. “This feedback is a key component of the Local Laws review process and ensures our regulations are keeping pace with community expectations.

“As well as tackling problems such as abandoned vehicles and illegal camping, the review has focused on cutting red tape to make it easier for residents to obtain permits and other permissions for events and activities.”

Key proposed changes include:

• An overhaul of the Temporary Entertainment Events Local Law to simplify the process for holding events.
• Introduction of the Waste Management Local Law to ensure Council can manage waste responsibly following changes to State Government legislation.
• Changes to the Animal Management Local Law to double fines for dog owners who repeatedly allow their dogs to wander or have their pets off lead in on-lead areas.
• Prohibiting mechanical works on roads and nature strips and making it easier for Council to remove unregistered vehicles that are causing a nuisance.
• Banning feeding wildlife from Council parks and reserves.
• Allowing Cultural Fires and fires for commercial filming / photography on Council-controlled land through a permit process to support community groups and to accommodate film industry needs.
• Increasing the number of pest species Council can manage to protect the environment.

This is the first major review of Council’s Local Laws since 2015. The review has not considered changes to Local Law No. 4 (Advertising Devices) which was adopted in 2019.

The draft Local Laws will be available to view on Council’s website, Customer Service Centres and Cairns Library branches from 16 August until 4pm on 13 September.

Feeback can be provided by:

• Emailing to locallawsreview@cairns.qld.gov.au
• Post, addressed to Local Laws Review, PO Box 359, Cairns, QLD, 4870

Comments submitted by email or post need to be received by 4pm on 13 September.

Council will consider all community feedback, and comments from the simultaneous Queensland Government review, to determine if any final changes are needed.

It is intended that the new Local Laws will be adopted by Council in late 2023 and come into effect mid-2024.