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The communityare invited to have their say on five updated and two new proposed by-laws for the Wattle Range Council area.
What is being decided?
Council is seeking community feedback on the following seven draft by-laws;
By-law No. 1 - Permits & Penalties Provides a permit system for regulated activities, including when permits are required, how to obtain them, and penalties for breaking them.
By-law No. 2 - Moveable Signs Sets standards for moveable signs on roads, including where they can be placed, to keep people safe and maintain the area’s appearance.
By-law No. 3 - Roads Regulates certain activities on Council roads within the Council area.
By-law No. 4 - Local Government Land Outlines how Council land can be accessed and used, including rules around what activities are allowed or restricted.
By-law No. 5 - Dogs For the management and control of dogs within the Wattle Range Council area.
By-law No. 6 - Foreshore (Proposed to be REMOVED and merged into By-law No.4)
By-law No.6 – Cats (NEW) For the management and control of cats within the Council’s area.
By-law No. 7 – Domestic Livestock Management (NEW) Sets rules for keeping and addresses nuisance issues caused by domestic livestock on residential and vacant land in townships across Wattle Range.
Drop-In Sessions
Council staff will be available at drop-in sessions in Beachport, Millicent and Penola, where the community can pop in and chat with us about the proposed by-laws.
Millicent Library, Wednesday 8 July from 9am to 11am
Penola Visitor Information Centre, Thursday 9 July from 9am to 11am
Beachport Visitor Information Centre, Friday 10 July from 9am to 11am
Have Your Say
Written submissions marked 'By-law review' should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer and can be:
Verbal feedback will also be received at the drop-in sessions
Feedback will be received until 9am on Monday, 13 July 2026
Background
Council by‑laws help ensure our community remains safe, fair and enjoyable for everyone. They set clear, consistent rules for the use of public spaces and local services, balancing individual activities with the needs of the wider community.
By-laws are local laws madeunder the Local Government Act 1999 (the Act) to assistCouncil in protecting the convenience, comfort and safety of the local community. They complement Council's responsibilities and powers under both state and federal legislation.
The majority ofCouncil’s by-laws were last reviewed in 2019. It is a legislated requirement that Council reviews (and ifnecessary,updates) its by-laws every seven years.
The current review has identified significant overlap between By-law No.4 – Local Government Land and By-law No.6 – Foreshore, leading to a decision to consolidate the two under By-law No.4 – Local Government Land. New by-laws to address the keeping of domestic stock in townships and the management of cats in townships have also been drafted.The new Cats By-law has been drafted considering feedback to a survey of the community. For full details of the survey visit Cat Management in Wattle Range.
Following an internal review, updateddraftby-laws were presented to Council and endorsed for community consultation at the Ordinary Meeting held on 12 May 2026.
The majority of proposed changes are minor in nature and are the result of changes in legislation or formatting amendments, with the exception of by-laws No.6 and No.7, which are proposed new by-laws.
All feedback will be reviewed and considered by Council staff. The draft by-laws may be updated in response.
A consultation feedback report will also be prepared for Council consideration.
Our consultation promise
At this stage of the review our goal is to consult with the community and obtain feedback on the proposed By-Laws. We also seek to:
Understand and acknowledge community concerns and aspirations
Consider feedback from the community and amend the draft By-laws if appropriate
Keep you informed.
The communityare invited to have their say on five updated and two new proposed by-laws for the Wattle Range Council area.
What is being decided?
Council is seeking community feedback on the following seven draft by-laws;
By-law No. 1 - Permits & Penalties Provides a permit system for regulated activities, including when permits are required, how to obtain them, and penalties for breaking them.
By-law No. 2 - Moveable Signs Sets standards for moveable signs on roads, including where they can be placed, to keep people safe and maintain the area’s appearance.
By-law No. 3 - Roads Regulates certain activities on Council roads within the Council area.
By-law No. 4 - Local Government Land Outlines how Council land can be accessed and used, including rules around what activities are allowed or restricted.
By-law No. 5 - Dogs For the management and control of dogs within the Wattle Range Council area.
By-law No. 6 - Foreshore (Proposed to be REMOVED and merged into By-law No.4)
By-law No.6 – Cats (NEW) For the management and control of cats within the Council’s area.
By-law No. 7 – Domestic Livestock Management (NEW) Sets rules for keeping and addresses nuisance issues caused by domestic livestock on residential and vacant land in townships across Wattle Range.
Drop-In Sessions
Council staff will be available at drop-in sessions in Beachport, Millicent and Penola, where the community can pop in and chat with us about the proposed by-laws.
Millicent Library, Wednesday 8 July from 9am to 11am
Penola Visitor Information Centre, Thursday 9 July from 9am to 11am
Beachport Visitor Information Centre, Friday 10 July from 9am to 11am
Have Your Say
Written submissions marked 'By-law review' should be addressed to the Chief Executive Officer and can be:
Verbal feedback will also be received at the drop-in sessions
Feedback will be received until 9am on Monday, 13 July 2026
Background
Council by‑laws help ensure our community remains safe, fair and enjoyable for everyone. They set clear, consistent rules for the use of public spaces and local services, balancing individual activities with the needs of the wider community.
By-laws are local laws madeunder the Local Government Act 1999 (the Act) to assistCouncil in protecting the convenience, comfort and safety of the local community. They complement Council's responsibilities and powers under both state and federal legislation.
The majority ofCouncil’s by-laws were last reviewed in 2019. It is a legislated requirement that Council reviews (and ifnecessary,updates) its by-laws every seven years.
The current review has identified significant overlap between By-law No.4 – Local Government Land and By-law No.6 – Foreshore, leading to a decision to consolidate the two under By-law No.4 – Local Government Land. New by-laws to address the keeping of domestic stock in townships and the management of cats in townships have also been drafted.The new Cats By-law has been drafted considering feedback to a survey of the community. For full details of the survey visit Cat Management in Wattle Range.
Following an internal review, updateddraftby-laws were presented to Council and endorsed for community consultation at the Ordinary Meeting held on 12 May 2026.
The majority of proposed changes are minor in nature and are the result of changes in legislation or formatting amendments, with the exception of by-laws No.6 and No.7, which are proposed new by-laws.
Written submissions can be uploaded here. You will need to be a registered user to upload your submission. Don't worry, it's quick and easy! And as a registered participant you will be able to use the full range of feedback tools on offer. You will also receive our newsletters advising of engagement opportunities.
Alternatively, you can email your submission to council@wattlerange.sa.gov.au with 'By-law Review' in the subject line.
Wattle Range Council By-law Review has finished this stage
Council considered a report seeking in principal support for the draft by-laws and resolved to commence public consultation.
18 June to 13 July 2026- Consultation Open
Wattle Range Council By-law Review is currently at this stage
Consultation is open for submissions including feedback from stakeholders such as the Dog and Cat Management Board and the Department for Infrastructure and Transport.
July 2026 - Consultation feedback consideration
this is an upcoming stage for Wattle Range Council By-law Review
Council staff and legal practitioner to review consultation feedback and make amendments if necessary.
11 August 2026 (estimated) - Consultation Report to Council
this is an upcoming stage for Wattle Range Council By-law Review
A report providing a summary of the feedback received throughout the consultation period presented to Council for consideration and decision.
August 2026 (estimated) - By-laws published in the Government Gazette
this is an upcoming stage for Wattle Range Council By-law Review
As soon as practicable after by-laws have been adopted.
January 2027 (estimated) - Existing by-laws come into effect
this is an upcoming stage for Wattle Range Council By-law Review
By-laws come into effect four months after gazettal.
New Cats and Domestic Livestock By-laws come in to effect
this is an upcoming stage for Wattle Range Council By-law Review
The new by-laws will come into effect from 1 July 2027.
July 2028 - Wandering cat rules come into effect
this is an upcoming stage for Wattle Range Council By-law Review
The rules to prevent wandering cats come into effect July 2028.
By-law No 1 - Permits Penalties.pdf (243 KB) (pdf)
