During the Discovery Stage of our Community Local Law Review we are looking for:

• New ideas or emerging local issues for inclusion in the revised Community Local Law that are within the role of Council
• Opportunities and ideas for simplifying the permit application process for business and community
• How we can develop a Community Local Law that is accessible and easier to understand.

We will share the developed draft Community Local Law 2027 with the community, businesses and identified stakeholders and invite feedback to help refine its content. The completed draft will be presented to Council for endorsement.

We are using a variety of engagement methods, both online and in-person to reach our local businesses, community and stakeholders. These include:

• Community Drop-in Sessions in both central and rural locations
• Community and Business specific surveys - available online and in printable form
• Direct engagement with stakeholders
• Door-to-door conversations with businesses
• Attend internal advisory committees to understand how lived experience relates to our Community Local Law
• MySay project page to support effective engagement with community and business
• Social media, email updates, newsletters and other marketing methods to raise awareness.

We are looking to hear from those who may be interested in or be impacted by the Community Local Law review project including businesses, community organisations, state and federal government departments, and community members. If you would like to be contacted about this project, we encourage you to contact the Community Local Law Review team by Phone: 5320 5500 or Email: locallawreview@ballarat.vic.gov.au

During the Community Local Law review, we are looking for community members and businesses to share their ideas and feedback on:

• Any ideas, new issues or local concerns they may have
• What isn't working
• How we can make it easier to understand
• How we can streamline our permit application process to make them more effective.

You can influence the streamlining of the permit process for businesses. Business permits enacted under the Community Local Law are:

• Display of goods for sale
• Itinerant trading
• Spruiking, busking and pavement art
• Erecting or placing of advertising signs
• Sale and consumption of liquor on roads adjoining licensed premises
• Waste receptacle placed on roads or Council land
• Use of Council land or road for outdoor eating facilities.

You can influence the streamlining of other permits. Other permits enacted under the Community Local Law are:

• Residential parking permit
• Street party permit
• Permit to ride motor bikes on Council land
• Permit to ride motor bikes on private land
• Permit to store long or heavy vehicles or shipping containers on roads or in ‘built up’ areas
• Permit to graze livestock on public roads or Council land
• Permit to camp outside prescribed camping areas
• Permit to place rubbish skips on roads or Council land
• Permit to use Council land or spaces for private events
• Permit to burn off in ‘built up’ areas
• Permit to use fireworks anywhere in the municipality
• Permits to keep more than the allowed number of animals or any exotic animals
• Permit for activities and events
• Busking permit.

Elements of the Community Local Law that cannot be influence by the engagement include:

• Compliance with requirements and Principles of the Local Government Act 2020
• City of Ballarat's legislated and regulatory responsibilities
• Fines, fees and charges applied by City of Ballarat and other organisations that are not related to the Community Local Law 2017
• Other City of Ballarat policies, guidelines and permits not related to the Community Local Law 2017
• Application and enforcement of the Community Local Law and other regulatory enforcement by other agencies (Vic Police, EPA etc).

It is important to remember that the Community Local Law does not cover the following:

• Parking and car spaces
• Planning and building permits
• Food registration permits
• Septic tank permits
• Beauty therapy services permits
• Accommodation permits (hotels, motels and rooming houses).

• Follow the project on MySay for updates and opportunities to have your say
• Look out for social media posts, posters and postcards
• Attend any of the Community Drop-in Sessions or Let's Chat Councillor Roadshow events
• Contact the Community Local Law Review team using the details provided in the Contact Us box.

To keep up to date with the Community Local Law Review click the Follow button below.