New Local Law to protect community safety, amenity

Published on 03 December 2025

Corangamite Shire Council has adopted the General Local Law 2025, a modernised and streamlined set of rules designed to make life easier for residents while protecting community safety, public amenity, and the environment.

Replacing the previous General Local Law 2015 and Livestock Local Law 2015, the new Local Law reflects community feedback and aims to reduce unnecessary red tape, clarify responsibilities, and provide greater flexibility for residents and businesses.

Key changes include:

• Clarifying the definition and assessment of unsightly land to make it clearer when private property is impacting on public amenity.
• Introducing additional requirements for managing long grass on private property in urban areas to address community concerns about amenity impacts outside fire danger period.
• Increasing the number of cats and dogs in urban areas without a permit
• Clarifying permit requirements for other animals in urban areas such as large noisy birds
• Increasing flexibility for caravan occupancy and camping on private land given current housing and key worker accommodation shortages.
• Removing Local Laws that duplicate or conflict with other legislation

Mayor Kate Makin said the changes were designed with the community in mind.

“This new Local Law is about making it easier for residents to understand their responsibilities while supporting a safe, clean and welcoming environment.

“We’ve listened to feedback and focused on practical changes that benefit everyone.

“The Local Law has been rewritten for ease of understanding, with improved layout and plain language.”

The General Local Law 2025 will come into effect on Wednesday 10 December.

For more details and to view the full Local Law, visit corangamite.vic.gov.au/LocalLaw.