New bylaws come into force

Published on 23 June 2023

Two updated bylaws come into force on Friday 23 June after being adopted by Council at its May meeting.

Advertising and Signs Bylaw 

Publicly visible advertising and signs are an integral part of our landscape and provide important information about activities, events and businesses. Making sure they do not become a nuisance, pose a safety hazard or contain objectionable content is the intent of our Advertising and Signs Bylaw.

The amended Bylaw includes these key changes:

• No signs in the road: signs are explicitly prohibited from the area of the road used by vehicles
• Dilapidated signs: signs must be maintained so as not to become dilapidated
• Signs must be removed as soon as reasonably practicable once the sign is no longer required for advertising purposes
• Reduced height limit for real estate directional signs: the maximum height for real estate directional signs for open homes and auctions was reduced from 2.5 m to 0.9 m, for traffic visibility reasons.
• Digital signs and illuminated signs: additional specialised restrictions for changeable message signs (digital billboards) and illuminated signs.[MB1] [KO2] 

View the amended bylaw here.

Activities in Public Places Bylaw

This bylaw is the main method that the Council uses to manage activities in public places.

It covers activities like busking, outdoor dining on a footpath, damage to public places and Council property, etc. It seeks to ensure public places are safe, accessible and that damage to public spaces is prevented.

The amended bylaw contains three main changes:

• Assemblies: Organisers of large-scale assemblies (which are likely to obstruct vehicular traffic for longer than 2 minutes, or involve overnight occupation of a public place, or obstruct neighbouring residents or premises) must notify the Council at least 2 working days prior to the planned date of the assembly.

•Fireworks: a person can only set off fireworks in a public place if the landowner has given permission, the fireworks display complies with all relevant rules and regulations and is managed by a licensed pyrotechnical technician.

• Vehicles: Deleting reference to the use of bicycles and motorised vehicles, as these are road vehicles that are governed by road rules and should not be on footpaths (which this Bylaw deals with).

View the amended bylaw here.