Local Laws & Regulations

One the focuses of the Regulatory Services Unit is to uphold State Legislation and to develop and enforce policies, guidelines and local laws appropriate to the safety and well being of the residents and visitors to the Surf Coast Shire. All Municipalities have Local Laws and as the name suggests they are laws that aim to make each municipality a peaceful, safe and attractive place for people to live in and visit.
Local Laws are made with the intention to curb anti-social and annoying behaviour within the community. They help to remove nuisances and dangers, and encourage both residents and visitors to consider the people around them and the environment.
Some key “local” regulations under Council’s Community Amenity Local Law are:

  • The sand areas of all beaches in the Shire being smoke and glass-free all year round.
  • The designation of three foreshore grass areas glass-free from 15 November to 31 January each year.
  • Prohibit access to the sand dune area of all beaches within the Shire.
  • Sleeping in any type of vehicle in any residential or commercial area within the Surf Coast Shire is not permitted.  Camping is only permitted outside of residential and commercial areas in the shire, and then only when a permit to camp has been obtained from Council.
  • A person must not without a permit, consume  or possess alcohol in an open container on Council land or a road, including while in a vehicle on Council land or a road, or a public place, unless the person is at premises licensed or authorised under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998.

The formulation of the Local Law was guided by input from the general community and associations, Council’s three Community Impact Advisory Committees (CIAC’s) and a working group that included the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, Department of Sustainability and Environment (who between them are the land managers for our coast).

These regulations reflect far reaching government and other health, environment and anti litter campaigns and a changing community attitude towards our health, wellbeing and precious environment.

To view the Local Laws for Surf Coast Shire and the supporting documents, click on the following links: