2025 By-Law Review: Phase 2

The City of Mount Gambier has been reviewing its By-Laws.

One of the ways Council helps keep our city safe, clean, and enjoyable is by adopting By-Laws. These are local rules made under the Local Government Act 1999, which gives councils the power to:

• Allow certain activities,
• Require permission for others, and
• Prohibit some altogether.

By-Laws work alongside other tools to support the wellbeing of everyone who lives in or visits our city.

Why are the By-Laws being reviewed?

By-Laws must be reviewed at least once every seven years. This review considers:

• Changes to laws and regulations,
• Updates to Council’s responsibilities or services, and
• Community concerns that could reasonably be addressed through a By-Law.

Importantly, By-Laws can’t duplicate or override Federal or State laws.

What makes up the review?

By-Laws operate in two parts:

• The By-Law documents – These set out the powers Council has to regulate certain activities (e.g. the ability to require dogs to be on a leash).
• Council decisions – These apply the powers in specific ways (e.g. requiring dogs to be on a leash at Blue Lake Sports Park and the Railway Lands).

Council can only apply rules to activities that are already included in the By-Laws. However, not every activity listed in the By-Laws will necessarily be regulated.

Aligning to the way that By-Laws work, Council has approached this consultation in two separate phases:

• Phase 1 (conducted earlier this year): We asked for your feedback on the powers in the By-Law documents (e.g. should Council be able to regulate dogs?).
• Phase 2 (this consultation): We’re asking for your feedback on how those powers should be applied (e.g. where should dogs be allowed off-leash?).

What are we now seeking feedback on?

As a result of Phase 1 of the consultation, Council now has six (6) By-Laws:

• No. 1 – Permits and Penalties
• No. 2 – Local Government Land
• No. 3 – Roads
• No. 4 – Moveable Signs
• No. 5 – Dogs
• No. 6 – Cats

Council is proposing a range of specific ways to apply its powers under these 6 By-Laws. Community members are invited to:

1. Review this reference document that introduces the ways Council proposes to apply these By-Laws.
2. Provide your feedback by completing the online feedback form located below.

Feedback can also be provided by:

• E-mail: city@mountgambier.sa.gov.au (External link)
• Mail: City of Mount Gambier, PO Box 56, Mount Gambier SA 5290
• In person: Civic Centre, 10 Watson Tce, Mount Gambier.

Feedback will be accepted until 5pm Wednesday 12 November 2025.

All submissions will be presented to Council for consideration at the Ordinary Meeting in December, following closing of the consultation. After consideration of submissions, the Council shall make any requisite amendments in line with subject matter expert legal advice, and resolve the application of specific By-Law provisions.