The City of Maribyrnong in the Victoria Government area will begin a formal public consultation on a draft update to its General Purposes Local Law 2015 across the municipality starting on 23 July 2025. Attention all public sector leaders: the upcoming review aims to ensure that the ten-year local law set to expire in November 2025 under the Local Government Act 2020 aligns with the current needs of the community and legislative mandates.
The Council engaged with residents from March to April 2025 and gathered a total of 367 contributions through online surveys and staff interactions. The draft outlines revisions for animal management permits, natural strip planting, abandoned vehicles, unsightly land, smoke-free zones, and waste controls. It encourages additional feedback through online platforms or in-person events until mid-August 2025.
“Different proposed laws received varied levels of support, and others called for additional thinking. Given the feedback, as well as internal reviews and modern thinking, we have made changes to the draft Local Law to better reflect our community’s expectations,” stated Mayor Cr Pradeep Tiwari.
The Council announced its decision to maintain the current limits on animal numbers and eliminate the requirement for permits related to nature strip planting and commercial dog walking services. The initiative seeks to improve regulations on unattractive and hazardous land, require maintenance of buildings, create smoke-free public spaces, and enforce stricter guidelines for abandoned or unregistered vehicles.
Full details of proposed changes:
- Animal management (Clauses 43–48): The Council decided to maintain the existing regulations. It allows a maximum of two dogs and two cats in standard residential properties and permits one dog or cat in multi-dwelling units. This approach reduces extra compliance responsibilities for pet owners and aligns with community input that resists more stringent regulations. Commercial dog walkers do not need to obtain a permit. This decision acknowledges the minimal risk and operational autonomy of this profession.
- Waste collection and public land use (Clauses 18, 49–52): Private waste operators must now obtain a permit to place bins on public roads or nature strips. This initiative promotes accountability for barriers and hygiene in communal areas and facilitates organised waste management strategies in densely populated commercial zones.
- Property maintenance (Clauses 16, 19–23): Enhanced regulations require property owners to keep their premises secure, orderly and well-maintained. Unchecked vegetation or abandoned structures may now prompt immediate action. The objective is to mitigate fire hazards, enhance community enjoyment, and avert public safety risks.
- Nature strip planting: The Council decided to eliminate the need for permits for residents wishing to plant on nature strips and streamline the process for low-risk environmental enhancements like native gardens. Residents must adhere to fundamental guidelines to keep pedestrians and underground infrastructure unobstructed.
- Smoke-free zones (Clause 27): The Council designates specific outdoor public spaces as smoke-free zones. This allows targeted actions in areas with heavy foot traffic, like playgrounds or community gatherings, to meet public health objectives while avoiding broad prohibitions.
- Abandoned and unregistered vehicles (Clauses 39–42): New regulations will implement measures to expedite the removal of abandoned or unregistered vehicles from roads and public areas. This addresses ongoing community issues about safety visibility, the reduction of on-street parking, and visual clutter.
The Council must ensure privacy compliance for its operations. Maribyrnong City Council follows the requirements of the Privacy and Data Protection Act 2014 and its privacy policy during all engagement processes. Individuals and business owners participating online through YourCityYourVoice share personal information regulated by Australian Privacy Principles.
Public sector leaders must focus on the effects of data on governance, the processes of data collection, the dynamics of data sharing, the importance of data collaboration, the role of cloud storage, the significance of cybersecurity, and the implications of artificial intelligence. Infrastructures for managing data and separate data systems are crucial.
Permit systems and new compliance data flows require strong data governance frameworks to effectively manage personal and operational data. Recent council events and online submissions established new records that require management within secure cloud storage to ensure compliance with digital government standards and cybersecurity protocols.
On 23 July 2025, Mayor Cr Pradeep Tiwari made a public announcement stating “Local laws affect all of us, so Council is now calling on the community to provide feedback on the draft Local Law and its changes.”
Consultation events:
- Slow Foods Edgewater Farmers’ Market, Maribyrnong Family Park, 337 Gordon Street, Saturday 2 August from 9am to 1pm
- Central West Shopping Centre, Braybrook, Thursday 7 August from 12pm to 1pm
- Civic Precinct and Community Hub, 61 Napier Street, Footscray, Wednesday 13 August, from 4pm to 4pm–6pm
CEOs and CIOs must assess the implications of revised local legislation for their operational frameworks regarding data collection, storage, sharing, and the application of AI technologies. Enhanced oversight of permits for abandoned vehicles or waste connects with wider data sharing initiatives among council departments. New requirements must align with cybersecurity strategies and ensure the elimination of data silos across divisions. The recent updates offer an opportunity to harmonise the regulations of the City of Maribyrnong with high-level data infrastructure, cloud storage standards and advanced AI tools supported by robust data governance.
The City of Maribyrnong unveiled a draft update to the General Purposes Local Law 2015, which marks an important move towards more adaptable local regulations. This update aligns with the Local Government Act 2020 and addresses the evolving needs of a burgeoning population expected to reach 122,848 by 2036. The team revised the draft based on 367 submissions to enhance clarity regarding compliance with property maintenance, waste management, and public land use. It also relaxes restrictions on low-risk activities like nature strip planting.
This initiative improves the council’s ability to tackle environmental and safety concerns. It includes establishing smoke-free zones and managing abandoned vehicles. Public sector leaders should view this review as a blueprint for aligning local governments’ overarching objectives in data governance, digital systems and operational compliance. The council will finalise changes after the community consultation concludes on August 16, 2025, and it plans to adopt them before the year’s end.
Justin Lavadia is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum with a diverse writing background spanning various niches and formats. With a wealth of experience, he brings clarity and concise communication to digital content. His expertise lies in crafting engaging content and delivering impactful narratives that resonate with readers.
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