Proposed amendments to TRC Local Laws
Project Overview
It is proposed that Local Law No. 1 (Administration) 2019 and Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2019 are amended to define an urban area, increase the minimum lot size for keeping stock (this does not include poultry or swine), require a permit to keep stock on a lot between 4000m² and 20,000m², and prohibit three or more dogs being kept on lots under 4000m².
Adopted changes would become the Amending Local Law No. 1 (Miscellaneous) 2023.
Community feedback is sought on these proposed changes.
Submissions must be received no later than 4pm Friday 20 October and may be lodged via:
- survey form below
- delivery to a TRC customer service centre
- post to PO Box 573, Atherton 4883.
A submission should contain your name and residential address, grounds of the submission, and facts and circumstances relied on in support of the grounds.
Social media comments will not be accepted as submissions.
The submission period is now CLOSED. Thank you to all those who took the time to provide a response to this proposal, these will all be considered and will help inform a report to Council in the coming months.
Overview of the proposed amendments to the TRC Local Laws
It is the responsibility of council to make local laws to regulate a broad range of issues within our community, consistent with the provisions of the Local Government Act 2009. Our local laws reflect our community needs and are focused on ensuring safety, harmony and good rule.
The amendments proposed are specific to animal management and have been developed to reflect the changing needs and expectations of our community.
Below is a summary of the proposed changes and what they mean in practical terms. For the full list of our local laws, see the Queensland Government database.
Local law No 1. (Administration) 2019
Proposed change:
Define urban area as land including residential, industrial, community facility and centre zones (does not include rural residential zones).
Why?
The current local law does not include a definition of urban area.
Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2019
No change to keeping of poultry or pigs or where land is used for animal husbandry through a planning development approval.
Proposed change:
You can’t keep three or more dogs on a block (premises) that is less than 4000m2 . No other amendments are proposed for keeping dogs.
You can still have:
- one dog on a premises which is up to 600m2
- one or two dogs on a premises which is between 600m2 and 4000m2
- three dogs on a premises which is over 4000m2
All dogs must be registered and microchipped. A permit is required if you have three or more dogs.
Proposed change:
Allow stock (alpaca, buffalo, camel, cattle, deer, donkey, goat, horse, llama or sheep) on land between 4000m2 and 20,000m2. Allow for one stock animal per 4000m2 (permit required).
Proposed change:
A permit is required to breed animals (except cats or poultry as they are covered under a different Local Law Schedule).
Why are these changes proposed?
- To increase the minimum land size for keeping of stock and define the number of stock on a premises under 20,000m2.
- Having a permit process will provide more tools to aide compliance with the TRC Local Law 2019.
- Concerns have been raised from members of the community regarding number of dogs in urban areas and breeding of animals (particularly in rural residential areas).
Meaning of terms used
Prohibited activity – is one which may not occur under any circumstances. It is not possible to get a permit for a prohibited activity.
Permit required – activities which require permits are called prescribed activities. An application for a permit for a prescribed activity must be assessed against a range of criteria, including whether the activity is likely to cause a nuisance to others. Permit applications will need to be assessed to ensure they comply with minimum and specific standards for the keeping of animals as described in Local Law Number 2.