SOUTHERN Grampians Shire Council (SGSC) adopted new Community Local Laws at its unscheduled meeting on Wednesday December 21, 2022, with several significant changes passed, that will impact the community.

The law changes are designed to improve safety of residents and include the introduction of permits for the planting of vegetation along roads and nature strips, the introduction of permits for rummaging through rubbish at Council’s Transfer Stations and a domestic cat curfew from sunset to sunrise.

The owner of any cat must confine the cat to the owner’s property either within the dwelling or another escape-proof structure between the hours of sunset and sunrise.

Regulation of feeding uncaged birds and animals on public and private property has also been introduced to reduce problematic animals.

SGSC said the objectives of the Local Laws were to provide for the peace, order and good governance of the Shire.

Ratepayers and residents are encouraged to familiarise themselves with the changes by visiting sthgrampians.vic.gov.au