Community feedback sought on local laws

THE City of Greater Geelong is seeking community feedback on a wide range of local laws within the municipality ahead of the expiration of its Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law later this year.

Designed to secure community safety, protect public assets and enhance neighbourhood amenity, these local laws cover a variety of areas including property, animals, waste, business and public places.

Following a review of its local laws and prior community engagement initiated in June last year, the city has this week endorsed the release of a draft document for further consultation.

Councillor Melissa Cadwell said the city’s current local laws, adopted in 2014, were due to expire on December 10.

“That’ll be automatically revoked…that’s why a new local law needs to be adopted prior to this date,” she said.

Councillor Jim Mason said the draft local laws remained “largely unchanged” from their 2014 iteration, however, a number of amendments had been made to best reflect the interests of the community.

These amendments include changes to the provision of unisex facilities, restrictions on the use of motorbikes and other motorised recreational vehicles on private land and time restrictions for carrying out building works on residential buildings.

“Gathering feedback on things that are important to the community helps to ensure our region is a great place to live, work and visit,” he said.

“A key objective of the local law is to enhance health, wellbeing and general quality of life for Greater Geelong communities.

“The main themes [identified during community consultation] included updating terminology, improving definitions, clarifying and simplifying and future proof wording.”

Feedback on the draft Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law 2024 can be given until Wednesday, May 22, and the final iteration will be presented to the council at its August meeting.

For more information, head to yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/LLR