Don't get caught out by new Fraser Coast laws

Topics: fraser coast regional council, local laws

DUMPED shopping trolleys, overgrown allotments, smoking near bus stops, cat and dogs being bred without permits, graffitied buildings, non-desexed cats - all make the council's new hit list.

You could be fined if you are caught committing any of these crimes, when the laws take effect from February 14.

The Fraser Coast Regional Council has voted to adopt a raft of new local laws. It was decided in Wednesday's ordinary meeting.

A 10-1 vote of support was offered by the region's councillors. Division 1 representative James Hansen unable to back all the laws as they were proposed.

'I see it as a big government approach. I believe in a small government approach,' Cr Hansen told those in Hervey Bay's chambers.

'I think we should stay out of peoples lives as much as possible.

Cr Hansen later told the Chronicle: 'I wasn't against the whole lot. The trouble is you have to vote of the laws as a package.

'So you're faced with a dilemma: do you vote for the whole package and therefore endorse things in there you don't agree with; or do you vote against the whole thing because there's things in there you don't agree with.

'My gut feeling was that I'd vote against the whole package because there were a couple of things I didn't agree with.'

Cr Hansen disagreed with new laws that give the council power to force building owners to clean graffiti off structures.

He also disagreed with laws that put the onus on business to ensure their shopping trolleys aren't dumped offsite.

Division 4 councillor Daniel Sanderson said some of the new laws would ensure areas such as the Maryborough CBD retain their appeal.

'We can ensure inappropriate graffiti is removed from buildings and ensure shopfronts and buildings are maintained,' Cr Sanderson said.

'The Maryborough CBD is the heart of the city and it is vitally important to ensure it retains its aesthetic appeal.'

Fraser Coast Mayor Gerard O'Connell said the laws were introduced because of public feedback.

Councillor for Health, Education and Training Robert Garland said: 'One of the changes to animal management is the introduction of breeders' permits for cat and dog owners.

'People who choose to allow their cats and dogs to breed will now have to obtain a breeders' permit from council.

'When ads appear for cats and dogs for sale or to give away, the ad must contain the breeders' permit number.'

The new local laws and subordinate local laws can be viewed and downloaded from http://ift.tt/1dPDdA2.