Cade Lucas
Nature strips must be maintained, shopping trolleys accounted for and permits required for trucks to park outside homes under new community amenity laws passed by Wyndham council last night.
The Community Amenity Local Law 2023 will come into effect next month and will remain in place until 2033 after receiving unanimous support at the meeting on Tuesday August 22.
The updated laws, which replace those passed in 2015, also include provisions relating to hooning and short stay accommodation and follow 18 months of community consultation.
Wyndham mayor, Susan McIntyre, welcomed their adoption.
“The Community Amenity Local Law is an important document that shapes our City
and I thank everyone who took the time to contribute to consultation,” Cr McIntyre said.
“Our Local Law protects everyone who lives, works and visits in the area – ensuring
we’re looking after public health and safety and how our City looks and feels –
enabling us to enjoy where we live and encouraging visitors to make our City a
destination of choice.”
Under the 2023 laws, property owners must keep grass on their nature strips beneath 30 cm in length and not alter them unless in accordance with council’s Nature Strip Beautification Policy.
Those unable to maintain their nature strips will be offered assistance.
Retailers must take measures to prevent the theft of shopping trolleys from their stores and may be held responsible for their collection and removal if found on council land.
Owners of trucks and other heavy vehicles will require a permit to park them at their homes and cannot park on council property for more than an hour unless there are signs that expressly allow it.
Anit-hoon clauses allow police to take action against spectators at hooning events, while home owners using their houses for short-stay accommodation will require a permit.
Speaking in support of the motion, deputy mayor, Jennie Barrera said the updated laws had been through extensive community consultation and were tailored to Wyndham’s needs.
“Our residents can be assured that we’ve been through a very robust community engagement process that ensures that we have a legally certifiable set of local laws that will be much simpler to understand and will meet local community needs and expectations.”
Residents will be allowed time to adjust to the new laws before measures are enforced.
More information: www.wyndham.vic.gov.au/community-amenity-local-law-2023
