Testing proposed changes to our Local Law

Published on 11 March 2025

Reducing the number of pets per property, retaining nature strip planting permits, and preventing caravan parking on Council land are some of the proposals being tested as part of a comprehensive ten-year review of Council’s by-laws.

These are the day-to-day rules set by Council to help protect local amenity, and regulate activities on Council-controlled land and roads. By-laws make our City cleaner, safer and more enjoyable for everyone. Sometimes this involves putting measures in place to prevent misbehaviour and, potentially, enforcement in the form of warnings, notices or penalties.

Maribyrnong City Council’s current General Purposes Local Law contains 56 by-laws which seek to ensure residents understand their rights and responsibilities, and Council is able to respond to local issues. For example, they include a requirement for residents to keep their bin lids closed when placed on the street for collection to keep them sanitary, and to control barking dogs to reduce nuisance impacting neighbours. Without these by-laws in place, Council would have no means of addressing issues immediately impacting residents.

As part of the review, four areas of the current Local Law have been identified that could be improved or strengthened: animal management; safety, cleanliness and neighbourhood appeal (including some activities on private property); waste disposal; and behaviour and activities on Council-managed land and roads.

Some of the proposed changes include reducing the number of newly-registered pets that can be kept on an individual property, introducing permit requirements for private waste collection services, and regulating the storage of abandoned, derelict or unregistered vehicles on Council land and roads.

“These proposed changes we’re looking to test are designed to help future-proof our City by maintaining comfort and safety, support modern solutions, protect our City’s assets and address gaps in the current Local Law,” Mayor, Cr Pradeep Tiwari said.

Your input will help shape a new draft General Purpose Local Law, which will be shared for comment in mid-2025.

Find more information about the changes proposed, share your feedback and any other areas you think we should consider by midnight Sunday 6 April 2025 at yourcityyourvoice.com.au/LocalLaws

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