Knox City Council
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Council has prepared a new draft Local Law shaped by feedback received from community members during February and March 2026.
The draft Local Law 2026 is available for public exhibition, and we are seeking community feedback until Sunday 14 June 2026.
A Local Law sets out everyday rules across Knox to help Council keep people safe and ensure neighbourhoods are clean and tidy.
It mainly relates to Council-managed land, buildings and roads, but also sets expectations regarding the appearance of private property and management of animals in our community.
We have identified areas where the Local Law can be improved to support a well managed physical and social environment and maintain community amenity.
The draft Local Law proposes areas for improvement, including:
- Stronger rules on dilapidated buildings and unsightly land, including graffiti, and a clearer definition of unsightly land.
- New rules to ensure outdoor lighting doesn’t become a nuisance for neighbours.
- Allow residents in a Bushfire Management Overlay (BMO) to burn-off to reduce vegetation fuel loads without a permit, subject to extensive conditions. Residents outside a BMO will need a permit.
- Apply animal number limits to all properties – not just those under 4,000sqm – to ensure consistent and transparent regulation. This gives Council visibility of higher animal numbers and allows issues to be managed before complaints arise.
- Introduce requirements for secure fencing of dogs in line with the Domestic Animals Act 1994, to reduce roaming and dog attacks and support responsible pet ownership.
- Clearer rules to reduce unsafe behaviour and activities in Council buildings and on Council land to enhance the safety of residents, visitors and Council staff.
- Elections signs to be treated like all other signs, requiring a permit to help maintain safety and reduce visual clutter on Council land and roads.
- Stronger rules to protect Council assets, to keep roads and drains clean and clear from coonstruction materials, soil, rock and debris.
- Align building and construction works times with Environment Protection Authority rules on noise.
For more information about the proposed areas of improvement, please review materials in the Document Library.
We're inviting you to view the draft Local Law and share your feedback by midnight Sunday 14 June.
There are a number of ways you can have your say or find out more:
Click here
Share your feedback, or contact us to request a one-on-one discussion
LocalLawReview@knox.vic.gov.au
Prefer to speak with someone?
Call us 9298 8000
Community Laws Team - Local Law Review
Knox City Council
Reply Paid 70243
Wantirna South 3152
Council undertook a month-long community consultation from 9 February to 9 March, including an online survey, pop-ups and drop-in sessions, with a total of 139 people providing feedback.
Community feedback has been carefully considered and used to prepare the new document. At a meeting 11 May 2026, Council resolved to release the draft Amenity Local Law for community consultation.
Community feedback has helped Council better understand community priorities, concerns and potential impacts in preparation for the draft Local Law.
We have identified areas where the Local Law can be improved to support a well managed physical and social environment and maintain community amenity.
Timeline item 1 - complete
Phase 1: Community engagement period
Monday 9 February - midnight Monday 9 March 2026
Timeline item 2 - complete
Review of community feedback
March - May 2026
Timeline item 3 - active
Phase 2: Community engagement period
Monday 18 May - Sunday 14 June 2026
Timeline item 4 - incomplete
Review of community feedback
June - August 2026
Timeline item 5 - incomplete
Council endorsement
Monday 24 August 2026
To determine whether to adopt a new Local Law that better aligns with current legislation, meets community needs and balances public interests with individual freedoms.
A Community Impact Statement, Gender Impact Assessment, and Human Rights Assessment will be prepared to ensure the new Local Law aligns with contemporary standards and priorities.
The new Local Law must be certified by an external Australian solicitor before it can be adopted.
For this project we will be engaging our community at the level of Consult on the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Spectrum. This means we will listen to what you say and consider it when we make a decision.
Find out more about this engagement.
| Name | Community Laws team |
|---|---|
| Phone | 03 9298 8000 |
| LocalLawReview@knox.vic.gov.au |
Phone: (03) 9298 8000
511 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South VIC 3152
knoxcc@knox.vic.gov.au
Knox City Council acknowledges the traditional custodians of the city of Knox, the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people of the Kulin Nation.
