Have your say: See how local laws are changing

Cairns Regional Council has proposed an overhaul of off-leash dog walking areas and an offbeat change to outlaw feeding of wildlife in council parks. How to have your say on new laws.

New changes to local laws will see double fines for letting dogs off-leash in prohibited areas. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns Regional Council has proposed an overhaul of off-leash dog walking areas and an offbeat change to outlaw feeding of wildlife in council parks.

Dog owners who repeatedly allow their dogs to wander, or have their pets off-lead in on-lead areas will have their fines doubled under proposed changes being considered by council.

Council has proposed changes to 12 of 14 existing local laws and plans to add a new regulation in its first major review since 2015.

Key proposed changes include an overhaul of the temporary entertainment events law to simplify the process for holding events.

Other important proposed changes include prohibiting mechanical works on roads and nature strips and making it easier for council to remove unregistered vehicles that are causing a nuisance, banning feeding wildlife in council parks and reserves, allowing cultural fires and fires for commercial filming or photography through a permit system and increasing the number of pest species the council can manage to protect the environment.

Cairns Regional Council has proposed changes to their dog ownership laws, to allow fines of up to $3000 for irresponsible owners who allow their pets to wander off leash in on-lead areas. Freshwater resident James Rickman likes to take his rescue dog Penny to the Aeroglen off lead dog park to allow her to socialise with other responsible dog owners. Picture: Brendan Radke

The council has not suggested changes to an existing dog ban within a designated area of the CBD that includes the Esplanade lagoon and waterfront; however, proposed changes will mean the process of designating and advertising areas that dogs are prohibited would be streamlined.

Mayor Bob Manning said the suggested amendments reflected the needs and expectations of the community.

“We receive thousands of suggestions and complaints from residents and businesses every year,” Cr Manning said.

“As well as tackling problems such as abandoned vehicles and illegal camping, the review has focused on cutting red tape to make it easier for residents to obtain permits and other permissions for events and activities.”

The draft local laws will be available to view on council’s website, customer service centres and Cairns Library branches from August 16 until September 13.

Feedback can be sent in to [e-mail], or by post to Local Law Review, PO Box 359, Cairns, QLD, 4870.

Originally published as Have your say: See how local laws are changing