Local law changes back on agenda

GOLDEN Plains Shire’s draft Local Law document is accessible to residents, following community consultation in 2020 which raised four key topics.

Burning off, keeping animals, motorcycle use on private land, and shipping containers were of particular interest to residents throughout the feedback period of July and August last year, when 683 people voiced their opinions.

Updates have since been made to the draft document concerning these topics.

“Council is… proposing several changes. These changes make it less restrictive than the original draft and existing Local Law No. 2, while still balancing the disruption that some activities can cause neighbours and the community,” A Shire spokesperson said.

“Council received a mix of feedback between residents who wanted all restrictions removed on the use of motorbikes on private land and those who were concerned about the impact of neighbours riding motorbikes for large portions of the day.

“The updated draft proposes to keep some restrictions, with residents to be able to ride in most areas outside of land zoned ‘general residential’ for one or two hours each day without a permit.”

Those wishing to ride a motorcycle for a longer period of time would need neighbours’ permission and a council permit.

It is proposed Local Law No. 2 General Public Amenity be changed to Local Law No. 1 General Public Amenity.

“This change is required as the previous Local Law No. 1 was repealed and replaced with Council’s Governance Rules in late-2020,” the Shire spokesperson said.

Size and day rules for burning off from the original draft document have been removed from this version, but these don’t apply to agricultural burning off, barbecues or pizza ovens.

It’s proposed that shipping containers in muted colours without writing on the side could be allowed on properties without planning covenants, but not in front yards.

More horses, chickens, small birds, domestic rabbits, guinea pigs and mice could be kept under the draft document.

Council will hear more verbal submissions on the law on Tuesday, 12 October.

Read the draft document at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations, or access a copy at a Shire customer service centre in Smythesdale or Bannockburn.