Background
At its meeting on 27 May 2025, Council resolved to put the Draft Enforcement Policy on public exhibition for 28 days.
What is the Draft Enforcement Policy?
The Enforcement Policy aims to achieve and maintain minimum standards for the operational duties, functions and responsibilities of officers involved in the enforcement and resolution of all regulatory activities.
Council's regulatory responsibilities apply to actual unlawful activity, as well as a failure to take action (in order to be compliant with certain legal requirements). For simplicity, this policy refers to both an act and/or an omission by an alleged offender as 'unlawful activity'.
This policy distinguishes between a 'report alleging 'unlawful activity' and a 'complaint'.
For the purposes of this policy, a report alleging unlawful activity is where an individual expresses concern in relation to alleged unlawful activity, or they request service from
Council about such matters. Council considers that a response or resolution to a report alleging unlawful activity is explicitly or implicitly expected by the individual or may be legally required.
A complaint is where an individual expresses dissatisfaction about council services, staff or the handling of a complaint. Therefore, a complaint may arise where an individual claims that Council staff have failed to take action in relation to a report alleging unlawful activity. A complaint will be recorded separately and responded to in accordance with Council's Complaint Handling Policy.
The aim of The Hills Shire Council's Enforcement Policy is to:
- Provide clear guidelines for the management of Council's regulatory activities
- Provide a consistent approach in the enforcement and resolution of matters
- Manage regulatory matters in a consistent and transparent manner, and through best practice enforcement principles
- To ensure the principles of procedural fairness and natural justice are followed
- To provide an effective process of education and consultation.
Exhibition & Submission Details
The Hills Shire Council's Draft Enforcement Policy will be available to view on Hills Have Your Say from 11 June 2025.
It will also be available for inspection at the following locations:
- Council's Customer Service Centre: 3 Columbia Court, Baulkham Hills, between the hours of Monday to Friday 8.30am-4.30pm;
- Castle Hill Library: Cnr of Castle and Pennant Streets, Castle Hill between the hours of: Monday - Friday: 10am - 8pm; Saturday: 10am - 5pm; Sunday 1pm - 5pm
- Vinegar Hill Memorial Library: 29 Main Street, Rouse Hill between the hours of Monday – Wednesday & Friday: 10am to 6pm; Thursday: 10am-9pm; Saturday: 10am to 5pm; Sunday: 1pm-5pm.
Exhibition & Submissions Period: 11 June 2025 to 16 July 2025 at 5pm
