Background
Local laws help Council manage activities and issues that can affect the health, safety and wellbeing of the community. They set clear requirements for certain activities and provide Council with a clear and consistent framework for responding when concerns are raised by members of the community.
Council is currently undertaking a staged review of its Local Laws and Subordinate Local Laws, the first comprehensive review since 2011. The review is intended to ensure the local laws remain aligned with current legislation, remain clear and effective, and continue to reflect the needs and expectations of our community.
Following the initial review, Council staff proposed 11 changes to six of Council’s established Local Laws and their Subordinate Local Laws, and one new local law. The new law is to help Council regulate the use of its civil aviation facilities. The 11 proposed changes to the current laws and the new local law were advertised for community feedback earlier this year.
Council is required to call for feedback if proposed changes to its local laws affect how certain activities or businesses operate. Where proposed changes or new local laws may restrict competition, Council is required under the Local Government Act 2009 to undertake a Public Interest Review (PIR) before the changes can be finalised.
The PIR helps Council assess whether the benefits of the proposed changes outweigh any potential impacts and whether there are other reasonable ways to achieve the same outcomes.
It is important to note that the six Local and Subordinate Laws where changes have been proposed are not new laws. They are current local laws that have been in place for many years. The proposed changes are intended to provide Council with the tools it needs to respond to the increasing number of complaints it receives about a range of issues, including:
- Temporary placement of shipping containers
- Short-stay accommodation
- Waste collection and storage requirements
- Keeping certain animals on large urban properties
- Caravan parks, camping grounds, public swimming pools and shared accommodation
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
All feedback received through the community consultation and State interest review helped inform the final proposed changes which will now go to Council for its consideration.
Next Steps
A report was expected to be presented to Council at the Ordinary Meeting on 26 August 2026. This was postponed to allow Councillors to get further clarification on the proposed changes. The report will now be presented to Council at the 23 September 2026 Ordinary Meeting.
If Council endorses the proposed changes to its local laws and subordinate local laws at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday 23 September 2026, the amendments will take effect on the day a public notice is published in the Queensland Government Gazette, which must occur within one month of Council’s decision.
As part of the legislative process, Council will also publish the notice on its website and provide the amended laws to the Minister for Local Government as required under the Local Government Act 2009.
The updated local laws will then be available on www.gympie.qld.gov.au/Council/Legal-Information/Local-Laws
Proposed Changes to Council’s Local Laws
Click here or see the tables below to learn more about each proposed change, who it may affect, why it is being proposed and the feedback received during the community consultation process.
Council approval will be required for placing a shipping container on a residential property for temporary use
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, Council approval is not required to temporarily place a shipping container on a residential property for temporary storage or other uses where a building approval isn't already required. | Council approval will be required before temporarily placing a shipping container on a residential property where a building approval isn't already required. Council approval will not be required in the following scenarios: - the container is on an urban property for less than 90 days
- the container is on a rural property for less than 180 days
- the container is being used on a construction site during building works.
| - Residents with or looking to install a temporary shipping container on their property
- Businesses operating from residential premises with or looking to install a temporary shipping container on their property
| Council receives complaints about shipping containers on residential properties, including concerns relating to safety, environmental conditions, and visual impacts on neighbouring properties. The proposed law will provide clear rules to help Council manage these complaints and determine when approval is required. | 93 responses were received about this proposed change, which was the most frequently raised issue during the public consultation process, particularly by residents and rural landholders. Respondents said shipping containers provide an affordable alternative to sheds for storing items and equipment, and requiring approval after a set period could create unnecessary costs and delays.
Respondents suggested several alternative solutions, including excluding rural properties, introducing simple requirements around placement and maintenance of shipping containers, and introducing a complaint-based approach to address issues. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection campaigns to identify properties that don’t have the relevant approval for their shipping container/s in place. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them. |
Council approval will be required for properties used to provide short-stay accommodation
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, Council approval is not required for properties used to provide paid short-stay accommodation. | Council approval will now be required if a property is used to provide paid short-stay accommodation for more than 30 nights in total during a financial year.
| - Existing short-stay accommodation providers (such as Airbnb-style properties, holiday rentals and hosted accommodation)
- Potential new short-stay accommodation providers looking to establish accommodation within the local market
- Local tourism operators and industry bodies that rely on visitor accommodation availability
- Local businesses that benefit from visitor spending, including hospitality, retail and service providers
| Council regularly receives complaints from residents about the impacts of short-stay accommodation, such as holiday rentals, on nearby properties. These complaints can relate to issues such as noise, parking, waste and other disturbances. The proposed approval process would allow Council to set minimum operating standards to help reduce these impacts. It would also require a contact person to be available so that any issues involving guests can be addressed quickly. | 84 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Many owners of small-scale and owner-managed short-stay accommodation did not support the proposed requirement for Council approval. Respondents raised concerns that the proposed law could reduce the availability of short-stay accommodation options, increase costs and administrative requirements, and impact tourism and investment opportunities. Many respondents also suggested alternative approaches, including a simple registration system, clear operating standards, and different requirements for owner-managed accommodation. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection campaigns to identify properties that are conducting short-stay accommodation activities without the relevant approval in place. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them.
|
Time limits for leaving waste bins at a collection point and minimum storage requirements
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, there are no specific rules about how long bins can be left at a collection point or the amount of space required to store them on a property. | Domestic and commercial waste bins will only be allowed to remain at the collection point (such as a kerbside) for up to 24 hours before and after collection day. If collection day is Monday, bins can be placed out from Friday. Properties must also have adequate space to store the number of waste bins required for the premises. | - All residents
- All business owners, particularly commercial premises that are not attended regularly
- Property developers who will need to provide more space for storage of bins
| The proposed changes are intended to help reduce health and safety risks, keep neighbourhoods tidy, and ensure there is enough space on properties to store bins when they are not out for collection, particularly at properties with multiple residents. Council regularly receives complaints about bins being left on kerbsides for extended periods, overflowing bins and inadequate bin storage at some properties. The proposed changes would provide clear rules about when bins can be placed out for collection and how they should be stored. The proposed time limit of 24 hours before and after collection day replaces the current requirement that bins only be left out for a "reasonable" period, which is subject to interpretation.
| 84 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Many respondents raised concerns about whether the proposed law would be practical or fair. They also said the changes could be difficult for people who work away from home, are older, have limited mobility, are on holidays or experience delayed bin collections. Some respondents also felt the proposed time limits should be flexible when bin collections are delayed or Council services are disrupted. Alternative suggestions from respondents included keeping the current rules, allowing practical exemptions in certain circumstances, focusing on education before enforcement, and taking a common-sense approach based on individual situations. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake proactive inspection campaigns to identify properties that leave their bins out longer than allowed or have insufficient storage capacity. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the changes and how they may affect them. |
A permit will be required for keeping certain animals on large residential properties
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, permits are not required for keeping animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, alpacas, goats, geese, ducks, roosters and poultry on residential blocks in urban areas (over 4,000m²)
| A permit will now be required to keep certain animals on residential properties in urban areas larger than 4,000m², including horses, cattle, sheep, alpacas, goats, geese, ducks, roosters and poultry.
| - Residents and business owners who currently keep or intend to keep animals on larger blocks in urban areas, as these may become prohibited or require a permit.
| When animals kept in urban areas create issues for neighbouring property owners, such as excessive noise from roosters or odour from livestock, Council can take action under environmental protection legislation. However, applying the standard animal keeping rules through local laws provides a clearer and more straightforward way to manage these matters before they become ongoing issues. The proposed changes are intended to help prevent potential nuisances from occurring by ensuring clear requirements apply to animal keeping in urban areas.
| 72 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Respondents highlighted the importance of maintaining rural and semi-rural lifestyles, including activities such as keeping animals for personal use, food production and self-sufficiency. Many respondents expressed concern that new approval requirements could unintentionally regulate normal rural living or be used in neighbour disputes where there was no significant impact. Respondents suggested that Council consider a lighter approach, with requirements based on factors such as property size, setbacks and actual impacts, and continue to rely on a complaint-based approach where genuine issues arise. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection programs to identify properties that do not have the necessary permits in place. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them. |
Annual approval will be required for all Caravan parks, camping grounds, public swimming pools or shared accommodation facilities to operate
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, caravan parks, camping grounds, public swimming pools and shared accommodation facilities do not need Council approval to operate. | All caravan parks, camping grounds, public swimming pools and shared accommodation facilities will require annual Council approval to operate. | - Current and prospective operators of camping grounds, caravan parks, public swimming pools and shared accommodation facilities.
| Requiring annual Council approval will allow these facilities to be assessed against consistent standards commonly used across Queensland, with annual inspections helping to ensure they continue to operate safely and meet community expectations. | 69 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Many respondents did not support introducing additional approval requirements, annual fees or compliance obligations for these activities, raising concerns that these measures could create a disproportionate burden for small operators and reduce tourism opportunities and supplementary income streams for rural landholders. Respondents highlighted that access to low-impact camping and rural visitor accommodation can support farm viability, as well as contribute to local economic activity. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake proactive inspection programs to identify caravan parks, camping grounds, public swimming pools and shared accommodation facilities that are operating without the appropriate approval. Council will undertake an education campaign to help property owners understand the change and how it may affect them. |
Council approval required for temporary entertainment events with over 500 attendees
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, Council approval is currently required where a temporary entertainment event on private land is expected to exceed 1,000 people.
| Council approval will be required where a temporary entertainment event on private land is expected to exceed 500 attendees. | - Businesses that organise temporary entertainment events attended by between 500 and 1,000 people will now be required to seek Council approval where they were previously exempt.
| Temporary entertainment events with 500 or more attendees can have impacts on nearby residents and surrounding areas, including increased traffic, parking demand and potential safety risks if not properly planned and managed. The proposed change would require organisers of larger events with more than 500 attendees to seek Council approval and demonstrate that appropriate plans are in place to manage the event safely. | 47 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Many respondents did not support reducing the exemption threshold from 1,000 to 500 attendees. They raised concerns that the change could increase costs and make it more difficult for some local and community events to operate. Alternative suggestions from respondents included keeping the current threshold where appropriate, using notification and support measures for lower-risk events, and applying different requirements based on the size, type and level of risk associated with each event. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection programs to identify events that exceed the new threshold and don’t have the relevant approval in place. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them. |
New requirements for residents who use scare guns on their property
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, there are no Council requirements for residents using scare guns on their property. Scare guns are devices that make loud noises to deter birds or other animals from entering an area, such as protecting crops or livestock. | Council is proposing to introduce a set of requirements for residents who use scare guns on their property to align with State guidelines. | - Rural property owners and residents who use scare guns.
| Council receives complaints from residents about the loud noises generated by scare guns, including concerns about the frequency and timing of their use and the disturbance they can cause to nearby properties, people and pets. The proposed changes would introduce clear rules for the use of scare guns to help reduce these impacts while still allowing them to be used for their intended purpose. | 32 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Respondents said the proposed local law was unnecessary as existing State Government regulations achieved a similar outcome. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection programs to identify residents that are using scare guns in breach of the proposed new requirements. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them. |
New Requirements to Keep Shopping Trolleys Within Shopping Precincts
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, there are no requirements that require businesses to take reasonable measures to ensure all trolleys remain in their shopping precinct. | Council is proposing to introduce a law that would require businesses to take reasonable measures to ensure all trolleys remain in the shopping precinct. Reasonable measures could include: - Introducing a deposit or token system to encourage customers to return shopping trolleys after use
- Businesses undertake daily collections of shopping trolleys from the area surrounding their premises
| - Businesses that utilise trolleys as part of their business operations
| Council regularly receives complaints about abandoned shopping trolleys being left in public areas, including bushland, waterways and parks. These trolleys can create safety risks, impact the environment and negatively affect the appearance of public spaces across the Gympie Region.
| 26 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Many respondents questioned the need for a new local law, raising concerns that it may duplicate existing rules and requirements already managed by other agencies. Some respondents suggested that existing laws and enforcement processes should continue to be used unless there is a clear need for additional local requirements. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake proactive inspection programs to identify businesses that are not undertaking reasonable measures to ensure their trolleys remain in their shopping precinct. Council will undertake an education campaign to help business owners understand the change and how it may affect them. |
PROPOSED NEW OR AMENDMENTS EXCLUDED FROM PUBLIC INTEREST REVIEW
Not all local law changes were required to be part of the Public Interest Review. Changes that relate to matters such as protecting public health and safety, managing pests and diseases, regulating individual behaviour, updating Council’s internal processes or removing outdated local laws are generally not considered to restrict competition.
The following proposed local law and subordinate local law changes were not part of the Public Interest Review process.
New minimum standards for keeping birds, honey bees and pigeons.
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, there are no minimum standards in place for keeping birds, honey bees and pigeons. | New minimum standards will be introduced for keeping birds, honey bees and pigeons.
| - Residents and businesses that keep these animals on their property.
| Council receives complaints and concerns about the keeping of birds, honey bees and pigeons, including issues such as noise, odour and various other impacts on neighbouring properties. Introducing minimum standards will provide clearer requirements for owners and help Council respond consistently when concerns are raised. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection programs to identify properties that do not have the necessary permits in place. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them. |
New safety requirements for property owners using electric fences
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, there are no basic safety requirements for property owners using electric fences for approved purposes.
| Property owners would need to meet basic safety requirements, such as ensuring electric fences are set back from public areas in urban areas and are only used for approved purposes, such as security. | - Residents and business owners who have, or intend to install, electric fences bordering public land will need to ensure their fences meet the required safety standards.
| Council receives complaints and concerns about electric fences bordering public land that may create safety risks for residents and people using nearby public areas. The proposed changes will introduce clear requirements for these fences to help ensure they are installed and maintained safely. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection programs to identify properties with electric fences that do not meet the new safety requirements. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them. |
A new local law is proposed to provide rules for the operation and management of Council-owned aerodromes
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
There are currently no local laws in place to regulate the use of Council-owned aerodromes.
| The proposed Aerodromes Local Law will provide rules for the safe operation and management of Council-owned aerodromes. It will set requirements for aircraft operations, parking, vehicles and equipment, facilities, safety, security and insurance. The local law will also allow Council to work with nearby property owners and occupiers to address potential hazards that could affect aircraft safety | - Current and potential new users of Council-owned aerodromes.
| There are currently no local laws in place to regulate the use of Council-owned aerodromes or help manage potential safety risks for aircraft and nearby properties. | 21 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Many respondents suggested Council should continue to rely on existing aviation legislation and regulatory agencies wherever possible, rather than introducing additional local requirements unless there is a clear need to address a local issue. Respondents also highlighted the importance of carefully reviewing the proposed aerodrome provisions to ensure they complement, rather than duplicate, existing State and Commonwealth aviation regulations. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with users of these facilities to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection programs to identify aerodrome users that are not complying with the proposed new rules. Council will undertake an education campaign to help aerodrome users understand the changes and how they may affect them. |
Background
Local laws help Council manage activities and issues that can affect the health, safety and wellbeing of the community. They set clear requirements for certain activities and provide Council with a clear and consistent framework for responding when concerns are raised by members of the community.
Council is currently undertaking a staged review of its Local Laws and Subordinate Local Laws, the first comprehensive review since 2011. The review is intended to ensure the local laws remain aligned with current legislation, remain clear and effective, and continue to reflect the needs and expectations of our community.
Following the initial review, Council staff proposed 11 changes to six of Council’s established Local Laws and their Subordinate Local Laws, and one new local law. The new law is to help Council regulate the use of its civil aviation facilities. The 11 proposed changes to the current laws and the new local law were advertised for community feedback earlier this year.
Council is required to call for feedback if proposed changes to its local laws affect how certain activities or businesses operate. Where proposed changes or new local laws may restrict competition, Council is required under the Local Government Act 2009 to undertake a Public Interest Review (PIR) before the changes can be finalised.
The PIR helps Council assess whether the benefits of the proposed changes outweigh any potential impacts and whether there are other reasonable ways to achieve the same outcomes.
It is important to note that the six Local and Subordinate Laws where changes have been proposed are not new laws. They are current local laws that have been in place for many years. The proposed changes are intended to provide Council with the tools it needs to respond to the increasing number of complaints it receives about a range of issues, including:
- Temporary placement of shipping containers
- Short-stay accommodation
- Waste collection and storage requirements
- Keeping certain animals on large urban properties
- Caravan parks, camping grounds, public swimming pools and shared accommodation
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
All feedback received through the community consultation and State interest review helped inform the final proposed changes which will now go to Council for its consideration.
Next Steps
A report was expected to be presented to Council at the Ordinary Meeting on 26 August 2026. This was postponed to allow Councillors to get further clarification on the proposed changes. The report will now be presented to Council at the 23 September 2026 Ordinary Meeting.
If Council endorses the proposed changes to its local laws and subordinate local laws at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday 23 September 2026, the amendments will take effect on the day a public notice is published in the Queensland Government Gazette, which must occur within one month of Council’s decision.
As part of the legislative process, Council will also publish the notice on its website and provide the amended laws to the Minister for Local Government as required under the Local Government Act 2009.
The updated local laws will then be available on www.gympie.qld.gov.au/Council/Legal-Information/Local-Laws
Proposed Changes to Council’s Local Laws
Click here or see the tables below to learn more about each proposed change, who it may affect, why it is being proposed and the feedback received during the community consultation process.
Council approval will be required for placing a shipping container on a residential property for temporary use
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, Council approval is not required to temporarily place a shipping container on a residential property for temporary storage or other uses where a building approval isn't already required. | Council approval will be required before temporarily placing a shipping container on a residential property where a building approval isn't already required. Council approval will not be required in the following scenarios: - the container is on an urban property for less than 90 days
- the container is on a rural property for less than 180 days
- the container is being used on a construction site during building works.
| - Residents with or looking to install a temporary shipping container on their property
- Businesses operating from residential premises with or looking to install a temporary shipping container on their property
| Council receives complaints about shipping containers on residential properties, including concerns relating to safety, environmental conditions, and visual impacts on neighbouring properties. The proposed law will provide clear rules to help Council manage these complaints and determine when approval is required. | 93 responses were received about this proposed change, which was the most frequently raised issue during the public consultation process, particularly by residents and rural landholders. Respondents said shipping containers provide an affordable alternative to sheds for storing items and equipment, and requiring approval after a set period could create unnecessary costs and delays.
Respondents suggested several alternative solutions, including excluding rural properties, introducing simple requirements around placement and maintenance of shipping containers, and introducing a complaint-based approach to address issues. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection campaigns to identify properties that don’t have the relevant approval for their shipping container/s in place. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them. |
Council approval will be required for properties used to provide short-stay accommodation
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, Council approval is not required for properties used to provide paid short-stay accommodation. | Council approval will now be required if a property is used to provide paid short-stay accommodation for more than 30 nights in total during a financial year.
| - Existing short-stay accommodation providers (such as Airbnb-style properties, holiday rentals and hosted accommodation)
- Potential new short-stay accommodation providers looking to establish accommodation within the local market
- Local tourism operators and industry bodies that rely on visitor accommodation availability
- Local businesses that benefit from visitor spending, including hospitality, retail and service providers
| Council regularly receives complaints from residents about the impacts of short-stay accommodation, such as holiday rentals, on nearby properties. These complaints can relate to issues such as noise, parking, waste and other disturbances. The proposed approval process would allow Council to set minimum operating standards to help reduce these impacts. It would also require a contact person to be available so that any issues involving guests can be addressed quickly. | 84 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Many owners of small-scale and owner-managed short-stay accommodation did not support the proposed requirement for Council approval. Respondents raised concerns that the proposed law could reduce the availability of short-stay accommodation options, increase costs and administrative requirements, and impact tourism and investment opportunities. Many respondents also suggested alternative approaches, including a simple registration system, clear operating standards, and different requirements for owner-managed accommodation. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection campaigns to identify properties that are conducting short-stay accommodation activities without the relevant approval in place. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them.
|
Time limits for leaving waste bins at a collection point and minimum storage requirements
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, there are no specific rules about how long bins can be left at a collection point or the amount of space required to store them on a property. | Domestic and commercial waste bins will only be allowed to remain at the collection point (such as a kerbside) for up to 24 hours before and after collection day. If collection day is Monday, bins can be placed out from Friday. Properties must also have adequate space to store the number of waste bins required for the premises. | - All residents
- All business owners, particularly commercial premises that are not attended regularly
- Property developers who will need to provide more space for storage of bins
| The proposed changes are intended to help reduce health and safety risks, keep neighbourhoods tidy, and ensure there is enough space on properties to store bins when they are not out for collection, particularly at properties with multiple residents. Council regularly receives complaints about bins being left on kerbsides for extended periods, overflowing bins and inadequate bin storage at some properties. The proposed changes would provide clear rules about when bins can be placed out for collection and how they should be stored. The proposed time limit of 24 hours before and after collection day replaces the current requirement that bins only be left out for a "reasonable" period, which is subject to interpretation.
| 84 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Many respondents raised concerns about whether the proposed law would be practical or fair. They also said the changes could be difficult for people who work away from home, are older, have limited mobility, are on holidays or experience delayed bin collections. Some respondents also felt the proposed time limits should be flexible when bin collections are delayed or Council services are disrupted. Alternative suggestions from respondents included keeping the current rules, allowing practical exemptions in certain circumstances, focusing on education before enforcement, and taking a common-sense approach based on individual situations. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake proactive inspection campaigns to identify properties that leave their bins out longer than allowed or have insufficient storage capacity. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the changes and how they may affect them. |
A permit will be required for keeping certain animals on large residential properties
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, permits are not required for keeping animals such as horses, cattle, sheep, alpacas, goats, geese, ducks, roosters and poultry on residential blocks in urban areas (over 4,000m²)
| A permit will now be required to keep certain animals on residential properties in urban areas larger than 4,000m², including horses, cattle, sheep, alpacas, goats, geese, ducks, roosters and poultry.
| - Residents and business owners who currently keep or intend to keep animals on larger blocks in urban areas, as these may become prohibited or require a permit.
| When animals kept in urban areas create issues for neighbouring property owners, such as excessive noise from roosters or odour from livestock, Council can take action under environmental protection legislation. However, applying the standard animal keeping rules through local laws provides a clearer and more straightforward way to manage these matters before they become ongoing issues. The proposed changes are intended to help prevent potential nuisances from occurring by ensuring clear requirements apply to animal keeping in urban areas.
| 72 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Respondents highlighted the importance of maintaining rural and semi-rural lifestyles, including activities such as keeping animals for personal use, food production and self-sufficiency. Many respondents expressed concern that new approval requirements could unintentionally regulate normal rural living or be used in neighbour disputes where there was no significant impact. Respondents suggested that Council consider a lighter approach, with requirements based on factors such as property size, setbacks and actual impacts, and continue to rely on a complaint-based approach where genuine issues arise. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection programs to identify properties that do not have the necessary permits in place. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them. |
Annual approval will be required for all Caravan parks, camping grounds, public swimming pools or shared accommodation facilities to operate
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, caravan parks, camping grounds, public swimming pools and shared accommodation facilities do not need Council approval to operate. | All caravan parks, camping grounds, public swimming pools and shared accommodation facilities will require annual Council approval to operate. | - Current and prospective operators of camping grounds, caravan parks, public swimming pools and shared accommodation facilities.
| Requiring annual Council approval will allow these facilities to be assessed against consistent standards commonly used across Queensland, with annual inspections helping to ensure they continue to operate safely and meet community expectations. | 69 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Many respondents did not support introducing additional approval requirements, annual fees or compliance obligations for these activities, raising concerns that these measures could create a disproportionate burden for small operators and reduce tourism opportunities and supplementary income streams for rural landholders. Respondents highlighted that access to low-impact camping and rural visitor accommodation can support farm viability, as well as contribute to local economic activity. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake proactive inspection programs to identify caravan parks, camping grounds, public swimming pools and shared accommodation facilities that are operating without the appropriate approval. Council will undertake an education campaign to help property owners understand the change and how it may affect them. |
Council approval required for temporary entertainment events with over 500 attendees
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, Council approval is currently required where a temporary entertainment event on private land is expected to exceed 1,000 people.
| Council approval will be required where a temporary entertainment event on private land is expected to exceed 500 attendees. | - Businesses that organise temporary entertainment events attended by between 500 and 1,000 people will now be required to seek Council approval where they were previously exempt.
| Temporary entertainment events with 500 or more attendees can have impacts on nearby residents and surrounding areas, including increased traffic, parking demand and potential safety risks if not properly planned and managed. The proposed change would require organisers of larger events with more than 500 attendees to seek Council approval and demonstrate that appropriate plans are in place to manage the event safely. | 47 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Many respondents did not support reducing the exemption threshold from 1,000 to 500 attendees. They raised concerns that the change could increase costs and make it more difficult for some local and community events to operate. Alternative suggestions from respondents included keeping the current threshold where appropriate, using notification and support measures for lower-risk events, and applying different requirements based on the size, type and level of risk associated with each event. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection programs to identify events that exceed the new threshold and don’t have the relevant approval in place. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them. |
New requirements for residents who use scare guns on their property
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, there are no Council requirements for residents using scare guns on their property. Scare guns are devices that make loud noises to deter birds or other animals from entering an area, such as protecting crops or livestock. | Council is proposing to introduce a set of requirements for residents who use scare guns on their property to align with State guidelines. | - Rural property owners and residents who use scare guns.
| Council receives complaints from residents about the loud noises generated by scare guns, including concerns about the frequency and timing of their use and the disturbance they can cause to nearby properties, people and pets. The proposed changes would introduce clear rules for the use of scare guns to help reduce these impacts while still allowing them to be used for their intended purpose. | 32 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Respondents said the proposed local law was unnecessary as existing State Government regulations achieved a similar outcome. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection programs to identify residents that are using scare guns in breach of the proposed new requirements. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them. |
New Requirements to Keep Shopping Trolleys Within Shopping Precincts
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, there are no requirements that require businesses to take reasonable measures to ensure all trolleys remain in their shopping precinct. | Council is proposing to introduce a law that would require businesses to take reasonable measures to ensure all trolleys remain in the shopping precinct. Reasonable measures could include: - Introducing a deposit or token system to encourage customers to return shopping trolleys after use
- Businesses undertake daily collections of shopping trolleys from the area surrounding their premises
| - Businesses that utilise trolleys as part of their business operations
| Council regularly receives complaints about abandoned shopping trolleys being left in public areas, including bushland, waterways and parks. These trolleys can create safety risks, impact the environment and negatively affect the appearance of public spaces across the Gympie Region.
| 26 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Many respondents questioned the need for a new local law, raising concerns that it may duplicate existing rules and requirements already managed by other agencies. Some respondents suggested that existing laws and enforcement processes should continue to be used unless there is a clear need for additional local requirements. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake proactive inspection programs to identify businesses that are not undertaking reasonable measures to ensure their trolleys remain in their shopping precinct. Council will undertake an education campaign to help business owners understand the change and how it may affect them. |
PROPOSED NEW OR AMENDMENTS EXCLUDED FROM PUBLIC INTEREST REVIEW
Not all local law changes were required to be part of the Public Interest Review. Changes that relate to matters such as protecting public health and safety, managing pests and diseases, regulating individual behaviour, updating Council’s internal processes or removing outdated local laws are generally not considered to restrict competition.
The following proposed local law and subordinate local law changes were not part of the Public Interest Review process.
New minimum standards for keeping birds, honey bees and pigeons.
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, there are no minimum standards in place for keeping birds, honey bees and pigeons. | New minimum standards will be introduced for keeping birds, honey bees and pigeons.
| - Residents and businesses that keep these animals on their property.
| Council receives complaints and concerns about the keeping of birds, honey bees and pigeons, including issues such as noise, odour and various other impacts on neighbouring properties. Introducing minimum standards will provide clearer requirements for owners and help Council respond consistently when concerns are raised. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection programs to identify properties that do not have the necessary permits in place. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them. |
New safety requirements for property owners using electric fences
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
Under Council's current local laws, there are no basic safety requirements for property owners using electric fences for approved purposes.
| Property owners would need to meet basic safety requirements, such as ensuring electric fences are set back from public areas in urban areas and are only used for approved purposes, such as security. | - Residents and business owners who have, or intend to install, electric fences bordering public land will need to ensure their fences meet the required safety standards.
| Council receives complaints and concerns about electric fences bordering public land that may create safety risks for residents and people using nearby public areas. The proposed changes will introduce clear requirements for these fences to help ensure they are installed and maintained safely. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with the property owner to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection programs to identify properties with electric fences that do not meet the new safety requirements. Council will undertake an education campaign to help the community understand the change and how it may affect them. |
A new local law is proposed to provide rules for the operation and management of Council-owned aerodromes
What the current local law says | What will the proposed change mean/be? | Who will be affected? | Why the proposed change is needed | Feedback received from the community about the proposed change | How Council will enforce the proposed change |
There are currently no local laws in place to regulate the use of Council-owned aerodromes.
| The proposed Aerodromes Local Law will provide rules for the safe operation and management of Council-owned aerodromes. It will set requirements for aircraft operations, parking, vehicles and equipment, facilities, safety, security and insurance. The local law will also allow Council to work with nearby property owners and occupiers to address potential hazards that could affect aircraft safety | - Current and potential new users of Council-owned aerodromes.
| There are currently no local laws in place to regulate the use of Council-owned aerodromes or help manage potential safety risks for aircraft and nearby properties. | 21 responses were received about this proposed change during the public consultation process. Many respondents suggested Council should continue to rely on existing aviation legislation and regulatory agencies wherever possible, rather than introducing additional local requirements unless there is a clear need to address a local issue. Respondents also highlighted the importance of carefully reviewing the proposed aerodrome provisions to ensure they complement, rather than duplicate, existing State and Commonwealth aviation regulations. | Council will only respond to complaints received from the community. Council will work with users of these facilities to resolve any concerns raised wherever possible. Compliance action will only be considered as a last resort. Council will not undertake inspection programs to identify aerodrome users that are not complying with the proposed new rules. Council will undertake an education campaign to help aerodrome users understand the changes and how they may affect them. |
