The Knox Local Law sets out everyday rules across the community to help Council support the safety of residents and neighbourhoods, and protect our amenity and environment. These help us manage activities to make our city safer, cleaner and more enjoyable for everyone.
We're undertaking community engagement as part of reviewing our Local Law. We have identified areas where we believe we can improve the Local Law to provide a safe physical and social environment so residents can enjoy a quality of life that meets the expectations of the community.
The Local Law mainly relates to Council-managed land, buildings and roads but also sets expectations regarding the appearance of private property and management of animals in our community.
We're proposing improvements to keep our streets cleaner during and after construction, make it easier to address unsightly properties, better limit nuisance from noise and lighting, enhance community safety, reduce dog attacks, better manage election signage, and make it easier for residents within a Bushfire Management Overlay to conduct burn offs under certain safety conditions.
We are also seeking to understand any other ideas and issues the community would like to see Council address in our new Local Law.
We're asking you to share your thoughts because it's important the Local Law reflects your needs and issues that matter to you.
As part of the review, Council has identified areas for improvement, including:
Private land and neighbourhoods
- Better address unsightly land, incomplete building works, overgrowth, litter and graffiti.
- Ensure outdoor lighting doesn't become a nuisance for neighbours.
- Enable residents in Bushfire Management Overlay areas to burn off to reduce fuel loads without a permit provided safety conditions are met.
Animal management
- Apply animal number limits to all properties for consistency.
- Ensure adequate housing and secure fencing for animals.
- Minimise dog attacks, for example, dog owners to remain at the scene and Council may require an Animal Management Agreement with owners of dogs that pose a risk to the community.
Council-managed land and roads
- Clearer rules to reduce unsafe behaviour in Council buildings and on Council land.
- Strengthen management of election signage to keep public spaces safe and tidy.
Council assets, trees and regulating building sites
- Strengthen regulations around building sites to keep roads and drains clean and clear.
- Revise construction times to reduce noise nuisance for consistency with the Environment Protection Act 2017.
Community feedback is being invited from Monday 9 February to Monday 9 March.
You can have your say:
Online
- Complete the survey at: haveyoursay.knox.vic.gov.au/LocalLawReview
