Public Interest Review of Proposed New Local Laws

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Gympie Regional Council has endorsed a suite of changes to its six existing local laws and the introduction of one new local law at its Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.

The changes were endorsed following an extensive review and stakeholder consultation period aimed at ensuring the region’s local laws remain both current and reflect the needs and expectations of the Gympie community.

Gympie Regional Council has endorsed a suite of changes to its six existing local laws and the introduction of one new local law at its Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.

The changes were endorsed following an extensive review and stakeholder consultation period aimed at ensuring the region’s local laws remain both current and reflect the needs and expectations of the Gympie community.

The changes to Council’s existing six local laws relate to:

  • temporary placement of shipping containers
  • short-stay accommodation
  • animal management
  • feeding wildlife on private property
  • waste collection and storage requirements
  • keeping animals on large urban properties
  • caravan parks, camping grounds, public swimming pools and shared accommodation
  • temporary entertainment events
  • scare guns
  • electric fences
  • shopping trolleys
  • keeping birds, honey bees and pigeons.

Council also endorsed one new local law relating to:

  • use of Council’s aerodrome.

The endorsed changes will now be incorporated into Council’s six existing local laws, with a new local law to be created for Council’s aerodrome. As the final step in the legislative process, the consolidated local laws will return to Council for adoption on Wednesday 28 October 2026.

To find out more, including fact sheets explaining each amendment and the new local law for Council’s aerodrome, visit Local Laws | Gympie Regional Council


Public Consultation

Council invited the community to have its say on the proposed changes during a public consultation period from 2 February to 13 March 2026.

Feedback was received through an online survey, hard copy submission forms and at two community drop-in sessions held at Gympie Town Hall and the Gympie Aerodrome.

Council received 191 submissions from residents, businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders during the consultation period.

Among the most common issues raised within the submissions were concerns that some of the proposed changes included:

  • costs associated with obtaining approvals or meeting some of the proposed requirements,
  • increased or changed compliance obligations, and
  • potential impacts on tourism, rural living and small businesses.

Council also received suggestions for alternative approaches, including:

  • registration schemes,
  • different requirements for small-scale operators, and
  • greater recognition of the different needs of urban and rural communities.

Council also invited relevant Queensland Government departments to review the proposed local law changes as part of the State interest review process. This helped ensure the proposed changes align with State legislation, government policies and the responsibilities of relevant government agencies.

The departments invited to provide feedback were:

  • Department of Transport and Main Roads
  • Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
  • Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
  • Department of Primary Industries
  • Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers

Gympie Regional Council has endorsed a suite of changes to its six existing local laws and the introduction of one new local law at its Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.

The changes were endorsed following an extensive review and stakeholder consultation period aimed at ensuring the region’s local laws remain both current and reflect the needs and expectations of the Gympie community.

The changes to Council’s existing six local laws relate to:

  • temporary placement of shipping containers
  • short-stay accommodation
  • animal management
  • feeding wildlife on private property
  • waste collection and storage requirements
  • keeping animals on large urban properties
  • caravan parks, camping grounds, public swimming pools and shared accommodation
  • temporary entertainment events
  • scare guns
  • electric fences
  • shopping trolleys
  • keeping birds, honey bees and pigeons.

Council also endorsed one new local law relating to:

  • use of Council’s aerodrome.

The endorsed changes will now be incorporated into Council’s six existing local laws, with a new local law to be created for Council’s aerodrome. As the final step in the legislative process, the consolidated local laws will return to Council for adoption on Wednesday 28 October 2026.

To find out more, including fact sheets explaining each amendment and the new local law for Council’s aerodrome, visit Local Laws | Gympie Regional Council


Public Consultation

Council invited the community to have its say on the proposed changes during a public consultation period from 2 February to 13 March 2026.

Feedback was received through an online survey, hard copy submission forms and at two community drop-in sessions held at Gympie Town Hall and the Gympie Aerodrome.

Council received 191 submissions from residents, businesses, community organisations and other stakeholders during the consultation period.

Among the most common issues raised within the submissions were concerns that some of the proposed changes included:

  • costs associated with obtaining approvals or meeting some of the proposed requirements,
  • increased or changed compliance obligations, and
  • potential impacts on tourism, rural living and small businesses.

Council also received suggestions for alternative approaches, including:

  • registration schemes,
  • different requirements for small-scale operators, and
  • greater recognition of the different needs of urban and rural communities.

Council also invited relevant Queensland Government departments to review the proposed local law changes as part of the State interest review process. This helped ensure the proposed changes align with State legislation, government policies and the responsibilities of relevant government agencies.

The departments invited to provide feedback were:

  • Department of Transport and Main Roads
  • Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation
  • Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
  • Department of Primary Industries
  • Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers
  • CLOSED: This survey has concluded.

    Public Interest Review - Submission

    Thank you for taking the time to provide feedback on Gympie Regional Council’s proposed Local Laws and Subordinate Local Laws.

    This survey forms part of Council’s Public Interest Review (PIR), which is a legislated process required when proposed local laws may affect how businesses operate or compete. The purpose of this review is to understand whether the proposed provisions are in the overall public interest.

    To keep feedback focused, meaningful and easy to assess, we are asking you to respond to three key questions only. You may answer one, two or all three questions, depending on your experience and knowledge.

    Your responses will help Council understand potential impacts, identify any unintended consequences, and consider whether there are reasonable alternatives that could achieve the same community benefits.

    Please note:

    • This is not a vote or a general satisfaction survey.
    • Council retains statutory decision-making authority.
    • All submissions will be reviewed and summarised in a Public Interest Review Outcomes Report.

    We encourage you to be as specific as possible and, where relevant, to describe impacts from your perspective as a resident, business owner or stakeholder.

    Gympie Regional Council has endorsed a suite of changes to its six existing local laws and the introduction of one new local law at its Ordinary Meeting on Wednesday, 23 September 2026.

    The changes were endorsed following an extensive review and stakeholder consultation period aimed at ensuring the region’s local laws remain both current and reflect the needs and expectations of the Gympie community.
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