Have your say on changes to Fraser Coast local laws

Riding bicycles, e-scooters and mobility scooters on the pier and jetties will no longer be an offence under Fraser Coast local laws with Council to instead focus on education and training, and enforcement to be handled by the Queensland Government under state laws.

Fraser Coast residents are being asked to provide feedback on proposed changes to local laws covering a broad range of issues, including the use of wheeled devices, conditions of entry to Council venues and activities that are restricted or not permitted in Council-controlled areas.

Cr Zane O’Keefe said the proposed changes come from community consultation and feedback.

“Council is responsible for making and enforcing local laws on issues not governed by state or federal laws,” he said.

“Local laws help make our communities safer and better places to live and work. Seven local laws apply across the Fraser Coast region, with the existing laws developed in 2011.

“Council conducted an extensive review during 2021 to ensure the laws reflect current community expectations, with the proposed changes flowing from that review.”

The changes proposed include: 

• Removing the ban on wheeled devices, such as e-scooters, bicycles and mobility scooters, in areas such as certain footpaths, the pier and jetties, and instead relying solely on Queensland laws for enforcement with Council focusing on education and training rather than behaviour;
• Simplifying and streamlining the local laws relating to conditions of entry at Council venues such as the aquatic centres;
• Making it easier to understand and find information in the local laws about activities restricted or not allowed in Council controlled areas such as parks, foreshores and local roads.

“Many of these changes are about making the local laws simpler; the intent of the local laws hasn’t changed,” Cr O’Keefe said.

Feedback surveys for proposed amendments to the local laws are now open and can be accessed at frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/local-laws

The survey is open today (Friday, 7 July) and closes on Monday, 31 July 2023.