Have your say about local laws

Sunshine Coast Council is reviewing its suite of local laws – the laws govern topics such as parking, animal management, permits and bathing reserves – and is inviting the community to make comment between 15 August and 11 September.

Local laws are statutory instruments of law and are ultimately enforceable through the Courts. Local laws provide for the good governance of the many diverse communities in the Sunshine Coast region.

Corporate Planning and Performance Portfolio Councillor Tim Dwyer said there are currently three sets of local laws for the Sunshine Coast which means that rules across the region can differ.

"Council has developed a suite of proposed local laws and subordinate local laws – reducing the number from 99 to only 13 – with the aim of achieving one functional, easy to understand, enforceable and contemporary suite," Cr Dwyer said.

"So that we can address the issues relevant to communities across the region, it is important for anyone who wants to have a voice in this process to have their say."

There are a number of overarching principles upon which all local laws are based. These include a requirement that a local law should not duplicate State legislation and should be necessary and enforceable.

Types of local laws

Model local laws are prepared by the State Government and cover issues that are common to many local governments. The model local laws have been used as the basis for the majority of the proposed local laws.

Interim local laws are adopted for a limited period (usually six months) while council conducts public consultation before introducing the law permanently. Council does not propose any interim local laws at the current time.

Local laws are laws independently made by council to deal with issues in the local government area. Council proposes to make seven local laws.

Subordinate local laws provide the detailed information required for the operation of a local law. For example, a local law may allow a local government, by subordinate local law, to specify the number of animals (e.g. chooks) allowed without a permit. Council proposes to make six subordinate local laws.

To follow the progress of the proposed local laws and to have your say, visit council’s website from Monday 15 August until Sunday 11 September. You can also get information about the proposed local laws, as well as details about information sessions to be held at libraries across the region, from council’s Customer Contact Centres, libraries and website.

The Local Government Reform Implementation Regulation 2008 requires council to consolidate its existing local laws by 31 December 2011.