Community “Have Your Say” Local Law & Domestic Animal Management Plan

Published on 03 June 2025

Hindmarsh Shire Council is seeking community engagement to make “good” local law(s). Local law(s) are made by Council to regulate issues within the community ranging from parking, permits, rubbish, animal welfare, and more.  It is important that local laws address the specific needs and issues of the community relating to safety, public health, animals, and the protection of local amenities. 

Engagement from the community will drive community-initiated changes to the Hindmarsh Municipal Local Law and will allow Council to better serve the community with services in areas that are most important to the community. 

Some of the changes to the Local Law will also be reflected in the new Domestic Animal Management Plan which will be proposed for adoption later in the year.  The new plan will cover the next four years and will outline Councils objectives in relation to the management of domestic animals over the period. 

The Domestic Animal Management Plan (Plan) is a requirement of Council under the Domestic Animals Act 1984. The Plan includes initiatives to promote responsible pet ownership and details how Council will support the community with domestic animal services and will focus on targeted issues such as stray cats and wandering dogs. 

With the current housing crisis, Council is also keen to hear from the community in relation to the potential of allowing Tiny Homes within townships and the appropriate length of time considered reasonable.

Council strongly encourages the community to provide their ideas in these areas as the Local Law and Domestic Animal Management Plan play an important role in how Council serves the community. 

To support Council in making changes to the Local Law, and in the drafting of initiatives for the Domestic Animal Management Plan, please provide your feedback through the community response form on the Have Your Say Hindmarsh website at www.haveyoursay.hindmarsh.vic.gov.au/proposed-changes-to-domestic-animal-management-plan-and-local-laws. Submissions close 11:59pm on Wednesday 25 June 2025.

For more information, please contact Cherylee Shandley, Manager Planning and Environment on 03 5391 4444, or email cshandley@hindmarsh.vic.gov.au.

Monica Revell
Chief Executive Officer