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The community were invited to have their say on five updated and two new proposed by-laws for the Wattle Range Council area.
What was being decided?
Council sought 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.
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.
Drop-in sessions were held in Beachport, Millicent and Penola, where the community could pop in and chat with us about the proposed by-laws on the following dates.
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
Feedback has now closed for this consultation.
What Happened and Next Steps
All feedback received during the consultation period was reviewed and considered by Council staff. A report summarising the feedback and recommending the proposed by-laws was presented to Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 11 August 2026. Council adopted five updated by-laws and introduced two new by-laws at that meeting.
The updated by-laws will now undergo final legislative processes before coming into effect in December 2026 where they will then be published on Council’s website.
The new Cats and Domestic Livestock Management By-laws will commence on 1 July 2027, while cat containment requirements will take effect from July 2028.
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 community were invited to have their say on five updated and two new proposed by-laws for the Wattle Range Council area.
What was being decided?
Council sought 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.
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.
Drop-in sessions were held in Beachport, Millicent and Penola, where the community could pop in and chat with us about the proposed by-laws on the following dates.
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
Feedback has now closed for this consultation.
What Happened and Next Steps
All feedback received during the consultation period was reviewed and considered by Council staff. A report summarising the feedback and recommending the proposed by-laws was presented to Council at its Ordinary Meeting on 11 August 2026. Council adopted five updated by-laws and introduced two new by-laws at that meeting.
The updated by-laws will now undergo final legislative processes before coming into effect in December 2026 where they will then be published on Council’s website.
The new Cats and Domestic Livestock Management By-laws will commence on 1 July 2027, while cat containment requirements will take effect from July 2028.
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
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.
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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 has finished 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
Wattle Range Council By-law Review has finished this stage
Council staff and legal practitioner to review consultation feedback and make amendments if necessary.
11 August 2026 - Consultation Report to Council
Wattle Range Council By-law Review is currently at this stage
A report providing a summary of the feedback received throughout the consultation period presented to Council for consideration and decision.
Wattle Range Council By-Law No 1 of 2026 - Permits and Penalties.pdf (467 KB) (pdf)
