Council finishes rules overhaul

THE overhaul of Cardinia Shire’s local laws is complete.
A topic of enormous debate and controversy for more than a year, the revamped regulations were officially approved recently with barely a murmur.
Councillors at their December meeting unanimously adopted the newlook laws, which repeal and replace previous bylaws.
They address issues such as recreational motorbike riding, illegal fireworks, the keeping of animals on smaller allotments, controlling rubbish on building sites, burning off, graffiti and pollution.
The new local laws will give the council more control over issues where it was previously felt to have too little authority.
The Gazette previously detailed the original proposal to limit the number of animals that could be kept on smaller properties. The proposal prompted an outcry in the community.
Concerns were also raised about a proposal to loosen controls on residents riding motorbikes or other recreational vehicles on their properties.
Council received more than 450 submissions in response to draft versions of the local laws.
It responded by changing the more controversial aspects of the proposal.
Cr Graeme Legge said the end result reflected the strong community input.
He said revamping the local laws and the public consultation period had been a lengthy but “significant and really useful” process.
The new laws are called Local Law No 9 Protection of Council Assets and Control of Building Sites, and Local Law No 10 Environment and General Amenity Issues.
Copies of the local laws are available on the council’s website at www.cardinia.vic.gov.au