Council
13 November, 2025
Councillors adopt new local laws
MOYNE Shire Council has its new Local Laws documents, but one councillor had concerns wording within the legislation is ambiguous and fails to protect council officers.
Councillors voted at last month’s Special Meeting of Council to adopt the new General Local Law 2025, in addition to conducting a full review which will include public and stakeholder consultation, expected in 2026.
Changes included minor updates consistent with the existing Local Law but had been made to reflect legislative changes.
The Moyne Shire Council General Local Law 2025 assists in the control and management of matters such as keeping pets, dogs on lead and off lead areas, footpath furniture, itinerant traders, unsightly premises, roadside grazing and use of council reserves and public spaces.
Local Laws can manage and protect the shared environment, ensure community safety, and support how people live and work together.
Prior to moving the recommendation, councillor Jim Doukas sought clarification on why there was not a definition of infringement notice process for appeals, saying he felt the lack of information could be confusing for ratepayers seeking clarification.
The definitions are within the Infringements Act 2006, separate to Local Laws which only allow the procedure to occur, but Cr Doukas said he felt this was confusing for ratepayers looking for clarification.
He also had concerns regarding the wording which states “The making of any submission will not in any way remove that person’s obligation to act in accordance with any obligations, directions, permits or notices which are applicable under this Local Law”.
Cr Doukas said this wording suggested a flaw in the process of appeals.
“It reads that if a person is told to do something or other must do it even though they are in dispute with whatever that direction is,” he said.
“That’s the way I read it. Read it out. Come on, councillors, tell me if you think it’s different.”
Both questions were taken on notice.
Cr Doukas also had concerns regarding law surrounding the use of campervans for sleeping purposes on privately owned land, which was also taken on notice.
“I just need to be clear on some of this because we need to protect our Local Laws officers,” he said.
“There’s been a few issues and they need to be able to work with laws which are clear cut and unambiguous – the whole box and dice.
“We don’t want to get caught up in arguments and legal issues which make life difficult for them because they’ve got a hard job and they do the best they can, which is pretty good.”
Councillor Myra Murrihy moved an altered motion to correct an error with the date list in the agenda.
“I just want to thank all the officers involved,” she said.
“It’s a big amount of work and, as was mentioned, you need to make sure that it’s legal, that it’s not conflicting with other laws.
“It’s a huge amount of work and I’m really appreciative.
“For the community, there is going to be further consultation as the actual review gets underway next year, so we’ll look forward to that.”
Councillor Jordan Lockett as seconder praised the report before council as “very thorough”.
“You can already see the complexities of this,” he said.
“Local Laws are there to protect the safety and wellbeing of our community but also they are specific to our council for a reason – because we have unique, diverse communities.
“There’s specific laws for each little hamlet and town within our shire.
“We look forward to and welcome feedback.”
The item was carried unanimously.
Read More: local