Project objective
We’re seeking feedback on proposed amendments to Bayside’s Local Laws.
The Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law 2021 (the Local Law) guides Council’s compliance and enforcement activities for a wide range of areas, including property amenity, construction sites and keeping of animals.
The Local Law is not scheduled to sunset until 2031, however the current Local Law was made under the superseded Local Government Act 1989 (LGA 1989).
The LGA 1989 required local laws be developed with a different focus from the revised (current) Local Government Act 2020 (LGA 2020). Specifically, the LGA 2020 moved from a ‘prescriptive’ to a ‘principles-based’ approach with a different emphasis on compliance and enforcement.
At the August 2024 meeting, a Notice of Motion was unanimously moved for Council to receive a report on the effectiveness of the current Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law 2021, adopted on 15 June 2021.
At the May 2025 meeting, a review to the existing Local Law was unanimously moved, noting the scope and timeframes of the 2025-26 review, and that the Footpath Trading Policy 2022 was to be reviewed as part of the review.
After an internal review identified some issues with existing laws, Council successfully secured a Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) grant to undertake a formal review process.
We’re undertaking a review of the Local Law to help Bayside align with the LGA 2020, and to ensure we’re meeting community expectations; protecting Bayside residents, assets and facilities; and making it easier for business to do business in Bayside.
The Footpath Trading Policy is an incorporated document under the current Local Law. As part of the DTF grant funding, we’re also reviewing the Policy to make requirements simpler and fees fairer for local traders, supporting a more vibrant shopping and dining experience.
Community consultation will provide stakeholders with information about the existence, purpose and importance of local laws, and the impact of local laws on the Bayside community and visitors to the municipality, including how we look after nature strips, trees, and private properties; how we manage waste and recycling, how businesses operate, where large vehicles like caravans, boats and trailers can park, and how many pets residents can have at home.
Community consultation will seek feedback through 2 phases of community engagement.
Stage 1 (open for feedback between 2 February and 1 March, 2026), will help us to understand community sentiment about the existing Local Law and the Footpath Trading Policy and help us identify emerging issues not yet considered, while meeting legislative requirements for reviewing and developing new Local Laws.
During the Stage 2 consultation (anticipated to commence in June 2026), we’ll present the drafted Local Law and Policy amendments. Community feedback will seek feedback on the drafted amendments and help to provide guidance on refinements to the draft prior to being considered for adoption by Council at the August 2026 meeting (anticipated).
Project impacts
All Victorian councils must have Local Laws. This review aims to ensure Bayside’s Local Laws are compliant with all relevant legislation and continue to meet community and Council needs as the municipality grows.
To ensure best practice, and alignment with contemporary standards and priorities; a Community Impact Statement, Equity Impact Assessment, and Human Rights Assessment is being developed, and revised Local Laws certified by an external Australian solicitor before being considered by Council for adoption.
If adopted, new laws will become enforceable by Council Officers (noting new amendments cannot be applied retrospectively).
What information do we need from the community?
The 4-week community engagement program will gather feedback through an online survey, written submissions, and at face-to-face events during the consultation period.
The Stage 1 consultation will help us identify issues not yet considered, and community sentiment about the existing Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law and Footpath Trading Policy.
Feedback will be used to draft amendments to the Neighbourhood Amenity Local Law and Footpath Trading Policy.
We’ll then present the drafted Local Law and Poicy amendments to the community in the second stage of engagement to help inform further refinements to the drafts.
It is anticipated Council will consider the local law review for adoption at its August 2026 meeting.
What can the community influence?
- Proposed changes considered as part of the new Local Law.
- Community sentiment for the proposed amendments to Local Laws in consideration of the Victorian Government’s legislative constraints.
- Gaps, or oversights in the proposed law amendments.
What can't the community influence?
- Look and format of the Local Law
- Wording clarity, consistency and document order
- Alignment to any legislative, anti-discriminatory, ethical, and culturally sensitive requirements/guidelines
- Parameters set by Council’s strategies, plans or policies
- Application and enforcement, including penalties
- Adoption timeline (by August 2026)
Stakeholders and community
This stakeholder assessment is a generalised understanding of sections of the community that have a connection to the project or matter. This information is used to understand the types of tools and techniques that will achieve the strongest and most effective outcomes for engagement and communication.
Impact: What level of change the stakeholder / community segment may experience as a result of the project / matter
Interest: What level of interest has been expressed or is anticipated
Influence: Reference to the IAP2 Spectrum
| Stakeholder / community | Impact | Interest | Influence |
| Bayside City Council Councillors and staff | H | H | Consult |
| Bayside residents | H | M | Consult |
| Bayside businesses and Bayside Traders Associations | H | M | Consult |
| Footpath Trading permit holders | H | M | Consult |
| Bayside Tourism Association | M | M | Consult |
| Bathing Box Association | |||
| Bayside advisory and representative committees: Disability Access and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DAIAC) Reconciliation Advisory Committee Youth Ambassador Committee Bayside Healthy Ageing Reference Group | M | M | Consult |
| State Government land managers (Parks Victoria / DEECA) | M | M | Consult |
| Bayside volunteer groups/ organisations: Friends of groups Environmental groups Sports groups Bayside Dog Alliance Graffiti Busters | M | L | Consult |
| Local MPs | L | M | Consult |
| Visitors to Bayside | L | L | Consult |
Selected tools and techniques
The tools and techniques selected for this project are informed by the project content, stakeholders and type of feedback sought.
Key tools for communicating the project
- Article in Let’s Talk Bayside magazine with pullout printed survey (Feb/ Mar edition)
- News story on Council’s website and e-newsletter (This Week in Bayside)
- Social media
- Digital and printed signage
- Direct email to stakeholder groups and relevant Have Your Say members
- Articles in relevant Council newsletters
- Printed collateral distributed through Bayside libraries, Customer
Service and at relevant events
Key methods for gathering feedback
- Online consultation via Council’s Have Your Say platform, including survey, and opportunity to ask a question and meet with a project officer
- Printed survey insert with reply paid postage in February/ March edition of Let’s Talk Bayside magazine
- Face to face events:
- Beaumaris Library, 96 Reserve Road, Thursday 12 February, 10am – 1pm
- Black Rock activity centre (in front of Woolworths Metro, 40 Bluff Road), Friday 13 February, 10am – 1pm
- Hampton activity centre (in from of Woolworths, 353 Hampton Street), Tuesday 17 February, 10am – 1pm
- Church Street Brighton activity centre (in front of Woolwoths, 104 Church Street), Friday 27 February, 3pm - 6pm
- Bayside Farmers Market, Jetty Road, Sandringham, Saturday 28 February, 8am-1pm
- Printed information available as required.
Project timelines
| Stage 1 community engagement on proposed Local Law and Footpath Trading Policy amendments | 2 February - 1 March 2026 |
| Collate and consider feedback and draft new Local Laws and Footpath Trading Policy | March – April 2026 |
| Stage 2 community engagement on new Local Laws and Footpath Trading Policy | June 2026 |
| Collate and consider feedback and refine new Local Laws and Footpath Trading Policy | July 2026 |
| Local Laws and Footpath Trading Policy adopted | September 2026 (anticipated) |
| Implementation of new laws | 2026 – ongoing |
Decision-making process
Community and stakeholder consultation on the proposed Local Law amendments will be held for a 4-week period.
Community feedback during the Stage 1 consultation will be collated and considered to help inform the new draft Local Laws. The proposed draft Local Law will be presented to the community during the Stage 2 consultation. Final refinements to the draft Local Law will be made before being presented to Council for adoption, anticipated August 2026.
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All Council meetings are live-streamed via Council’s website. Community members can also ask a question or request to be heard at this meeting.
More information
Ellen Schreiber
Service & Efficiency Coordinator
03 9599 4474
