Residents are invited to shape the Central Goldfields Shire’s (CGS) future together by giving their feedback on the region’s local laws. 

Every ten years, councils across the state are required to review the laws governing their area — including regulations that help  protect public and private spaces as well as the health and safety of the community.

These laws cover a range of diverse topics from unsightly land, fire safety, animals, roadside, reserves and footpath trading to planting on nature strips and building sites.

Mapping out its Local Laws for the 2025-2035 period, CGS council has now opened up the review to all residents, with their input a crucial part of the process.

According to mayor Liesbeth Long, these laws allow the community to enjoy the shire and its surroundings while keeping everyone safe and able to deal with unwanted issues when they happen.

“The community has an opportunity to have a say in what they would like in our local laws for the next 10 years,” she said.

“Now is your chance to introduce new laws and amend or remove ones that are outdated or not relevant anymore.

“I encourage community members to take the time to read and familiarise yourself with our Local Laws.” 

More than just a bureaucratic process, council’s manager statutory services Peter Field said the review was a great chance for all residents to contribute towards the betterment of the shire.

“It sets the ground rules for a range of activities that can occur in and around a municipality,” he said.

“I think it’s really important for people to give us feedback because these laws are truly local, so they are tailored to accommodate the ways in which our communities live and reside in our towns.

“What it does is, it allows for there to be clarity about what is acceptable — we need to hear directly from the people to establish that so we can better manage their use of the townships.”

With a week of in-person feedback sessions already completed, Mr Fields said that the response has been outstanding and has seen some key themes emerging.

“We’re really keen to take into account what people view as being good or what they would like to see changed or improved,” he said.

“The sessions we’ve had in Carisbrook, Dunolly and Maryborough have been great. We’ve also already received over 40 electronic responses to our survey which is fantastic — we’ve been getting good community feedback and early indications are that people are really interested in the issue of livestock in residential areas, they’re also thinking about old properties that don’t have houses on them and how they’re maintained, as well as the use of land for recreational purposes and issues around noise.

“So far it’s been good and I urge everyone to get onboard and give us their feedback.”

The online survey will be available until 5 pm on December 22 — to find out more or to give your feedback, visit engage.cgoldshire.vic.gov.au/your-local-law