Local Laws and Policies
Local Laws
Policies
- Office of the CEO
- Planning and Environmental Services
- Financial and Information Services
- Community and Customer Services
- Infrastructure Services
- Mackay Water
Local laws
| Local law or policy | Purpose | The object of this local law is to provide a legal framework for the administration, implementation and enforcement of the local government's local laws and local law policies. | The objects of this local law are to provide for the establishment and administration of animal pounds and to confer powers on authorised persons to impound stray animals or other animals that should be impounded in the public interest. | The objects of this local law are to regulate the keeping of animals - to protect the community against risk of injury and damage, ensure that animals do not create a nuisance, or a hazard to health or safety, prevent pollution and other environmental damage resulting from the keeping of animals and to protect the amenity of the local environment, ensure that animals are kept and used in a way that is consistent with the rights and expectations of the local community. | Guidelines to Local Law 3 - Gates and Grids | The object of this local law is to ensure that bicycles, tricycles and powerassisted cycles are prohibited from being ridden on designated footways so that the footways are free to be used by pedestrians. | A guideline to Local Law 2 - Impounding of Animals. | The object of this local law is to regulate the installation of gates and grids across public roads to ensure that they do not interfere with: (a) the safe movement of pedestrians and vehicles; or (b) the proper maintenance of the public road. | The objects of this local law are to: (a) regulate parking on roads in the local government’s area; and (b) define the boundaries of traffic areas in the local government’s area; and (c) give the local government power to (i) issue commercial vehicle identification labels and parking permits; and (ii) impose temporary parking prohibitions and restrictions; and (d) specify off-street regulated parking areas in the local government’s area; and (e) prescribe infringement notice penalties for minor traffic offences committed in the local government’s area. | Guidelines for Local Law 4 - Regulated Parking | The object of this Local Law is to provide for the orderly and proper conduct of Local Government meetings. | Guidelines for Local Law 8 - Meetings | The objects of this Local Law are to ensure that: (a) tramways within the local government's area are constructed, maintained and operated in accordance with appropriate safety standards; and (b) appropriate indemnities are in force to protect the local government and the public against loss or damage resulting from the construction, maintenance or operation of tramways; and (c) the use of a tramway does not unreasonably disrupt or interfere with the use of roads and other public infrastructure by the public. | The objects of this Local Law are to: (a) impose appropriate conditions and safeguards under which temporary structures may be occupied as places of residence; and (b) protect the amenity of the area from adverse effects caused by the occupation of temporary structures as places of residence. | Guidelines for Local Law 64 - Temporary Homes | Guidelines for Local Law 65 - Keeping and Control of Animals. | The objects of this Local Law are to: (a) provide for a library service that effectively meets the needs of the community; and (b) confer the necessary powers for the administration, management and control of a library and library services; and (c) provide for the protection of library resources. | Guidelines for Local Law 66 - Libraries | The objects of this local law are to protect the environment, and public health, safety and convenience, by eliminating or reducing nuisances resulting from : (a) excessive noise; and (b) smoke, other atmospheric pollutants, and wind-borne materials; and (c) light spillage; and (d) vegetation overgrowth; and (e) visual pollution resulting from unsightly accumulations of objects and materials. | Guidelines for Local Law 67 - Control of Nuisances. | Amended Guidelines to Local Law 67 - Control of Nuisances. | The objects of this LocalLlaw are to: (a) provide for the establishment of parks and reserves on land under the local government's control; and (b) provide for appropriate public access to parks and reserves for active and passive recreation; and (c) protect the safety of persons using parks and reserves; and (d) preserve features of the natural and built environment and other aspects of the amenity of parks and reserves; and (e) regulate activities in parks and reserves and ensure appropriate standards of conduct. | Guidelines for Local Law 68 - Parks & Reserves | The object of this Local Law is to regulate the use of water meters to ensure water usage is charged accurately. | Guidelines for Local Law 69 - Water Meters | The objects of this Local Law are to- (a) empower the local government to establish public cemeteries and crematoriums; and (b) provide for the proper management and control of public cemeteries and crematoriums in the local government's area (whether established by the local government or someone else); and (c) regulate the disposal of human remains in the local government's area; and (d) ensure that proper records are kept about the disposal of human remains. | Guidelines for Local Law 70 - Cemeteries | The objects of this Local Law are to: (a) ensure that entertainment venues comply with appropriate standards of health and safety; and (b) protect the amenity of areas in which entertainment venues are situated. | Guidelines for Local Law 71 - Entertainment Venues. | Guidelines for Local Law 73 - Bicycles on Footways | The objects of this Local Law are to: (a) ensure that the local government has the necessary powers to construct, maintain and improve roads within its area; and (b) provide for the naming of roads and the numbering of adjacent properties; and (c) ensure that roads and associated structures and vegetation are in harmony with their natural and built environment; and (d) regulate the use of roads to prevent nuisances and interference with the safe movement of traffic. | The objects of this Local Law are to: (a) regulate soliciting of business on roads and associated public places; and (b) regulate the use of roads and associated public places for the conduct of business. | Guidelines for Local Law 75 - Commercial Use of Roads. | First Amendment to Subordinate Local Law 75 - Commercial Use of Roads | Amendment 2 to Subordinate Local Law 75 - Commercial Use of Roads. | The objects of this Local Law are to: (a) provide for the supervision and regulation of bathing reserves; and (b) provide for the surveillance of bathing reserves by life-saving patrols; and (c) regulate the use of bathing reserves and equipment in bathing reserves; and (d) enhance public safety and convenience in bathing reserves. | Guidelines for Local Law 76 - Bathing Reserves | The objects of this Local Law are to: (a) provide for a public swimming pool that effectively meets the needs of the community;and (b) confer the necessary powers for the administration, management and control of a public pool;and (c) provide for the protection of the pool and its patrons. | Guidelines for Local Law 77 - Public Pools. | The objects of this Local Law are to ensure that advertisements and associated structures: (a) are constructed and maintained to essential standards of public safety; and (b) complement or, at least, do not unreasonably detract from, desirable characteristics of the natural and built environment in which the advertisements are exhibited. | Guidelines for Local Law 78 - Control of Advertisements | The objects of this Local Law are to: (a) protect the amenity of the local government area from visually intrusive telecommunication cabling and associated equipment; and (b) promote the placement of telecommunication cabling and associated equipment underground, taking into account economic and technical issues, where placing such cabling and equipment underground is supported by the affected community; and (c) protect against risk to public safety from the installation of telecommunication cabling; and (d) ensure that the interests of the local community are not prejudiced in other ways by the installation of telecommunication cabling. | The objects of this Local Law are to: (a) ensure that water supplied by water tankers for domestic consumption or use is of high quality; and (b) protect the quality of water supplied, and the quality of the water supply from which water is taken, from contamination. | Guidelines for Local Law 80 - Domestic Water Carriers | The objects of this Local Law are to ensure that swimming pools made available for public use are properly managed and supervised and comply with standards of public health and safety. | Guidelines for Local Law 81 - Swimming Pools Public Use | The objects of this Local Law are to: (a) provide a controlled boat ramp environment that effectively meets the needs of the community; and (b) control commercial operations within the vicinity of a boat ramp so as not to interfere with the users of the boat ramp. | (1) The object of this local law is to ensure that rental accommodation provide high standards of public health, safety and amenity for human habitation. (2) The local law specifies requirements in addition to requirements specified by other relevant law. | Guidelines for Local Law 84 - Rental Accommodation. | The objects of this Local Law are to- (a) ensure that caravan parks are properly operated and maintained; and (b) safeguard health and safety in caravan parks; and (c) provide for the comfort and convenience of short term and long term caravan park residents. | The object of this Local Law is to prohibit the sale or offering for sale of a vehicle on a road or footway. | Guidelines for camping in Council Reserves |
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Office of the CEO
| Local law or policy | Purpose | To allow at the end of the first Ordinary Meeting of Council each month an amount of time during which members of the public may ask questions of the Council under set guidelines. | To recognise the service given to the community by Elected Members. | The objective of this remuneration policy is to establish and specify: a) the persons entitled to remuneration b) the principle on which the Councillors’ remuneration is based; c) the basis for the payment of a base remuneration to the Mayor, Deputy Mayor and other Councillors for discharging their statutory roles and duties; c) the requirements for reimbursement to Councillors of reasonable expenses incurred and e) Councillors’ entitlement to the provision by Council of accident, illness, liability and workers’ compensation insurance cover. | Mackay City Council has developed a General Complaint Policy in recognition of the need to manage complaints efficiently, effectively and fairly, as well as to ensure compliance with the Local Government Legislation Amendment Act (2005). The Policy also has been developed to support the application of the Code of Conduct for Councillors. | Application Form used to Lodge Complaints | o set guidelines for the application, analysis, financing and acquittal of funding under Council’s Economic Activity funding allocation. The intent of the funding being to sponsor events that are of significant benefit to the economy of the city, including such areas as tourism, community development, and development of a higher profile for the city. |
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Planning and Environmental Services
| Local law or policy | Purpose | The Policy Indicates the criteria for contaminated material at the approved Council Waste Disposal Facility. | The mission is to enhance the quality of life of our community by ensuring the provision of appropriate services and facilities through the effective management of resources. | The Policy outlines the requirements/operation of a Mobile Bin Cleaner within the Mackay City Council District. | THAT Council shall allow the owner of a premises with more than six(6) flats or units to install an approved bulk refuse container if the provision of one(1) 240litre mobile garbage bin at each flat or unit is not warranted or desired, and provided also that service access is available. | To set a policy to be followed in the circumstances of a lost, stolen, or damaged wheelie bin. | Standards for construction of Food Vending Vehicles. | To ensure that dogs released to new owners are desexed. | To encourage responsible dog ownership through establishing penalty fees for release of a dog on a second or subsequent occasion. | Council advocates management of mosquito populations when and where necessary by means of integrated programs designed to benefit people and have minimal adverse effects on wildlife and the environment in general. | To ensure public notice is given to proposals to fog residential area. | To allow busking on the streets within the city, but ensuring that such activities shall have a permit issued under Local Law No.75 (Commercial Use of Roads) with such permits being subject, but not limited, to the standard conditions as listed below: | To set food handling standards to apply to Flea Markets, regular/sporting activities and the like. | Estabishing guidelines for permit to care for orphaned, injured or sick fauna. | To ensure that apparently abandoned vehicles are dealt with in line with set procedures and statutory provisions. | Procedures for making Complaints with respect to Building Services Unit. |
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Financial and Information Services
| Local law or policy | Purpose | To establish guidelines to be followed in the processing of transactions involving Council owned and controlled land. | This document sets out the Council’s policy for the acquisition of goods and services and carrying out of the procurement principles. This policy applies to the procurement of all goods, equipment and related services, construction contracts and service contracts (including maintenance). | To provide access to Council held documents to the public, in accordance with statutory procedures. | The purpose of this policy is to set the conditions under which Council vehicles may be used for commuter use. | Council vehicles be available to Council employees for use in the course of their duties, and not used for other than Council duties, with employees allocated vehicles responsible for the care and maintenance of same. | This policy is an expression of the commitment of Mackay City Council to provide an effective workplace-based rehabilitation program. The aim of this program is to assist employees who sustain a work related injury to return to work in a safe and supportive environment, with the approval of their treating doctor. | The Council recognises the loyalty shown by any employee who attains 25 years continuous service with the Council, by supporting a "club" for such employees. | The service of employees voluntary terminating is recognised by the presentation of a suitable gift from Council. | The aim of the Policy is to provide guidelines for staff attendance at Conferences and Seminars. | To provide a framework for administration of Council’s budget and to ensure that known variations to the budget are addressed in a timely manner. | Council’s Environmental consultation with the Department of Environment and the Sugar Cane Industry has revealed that providing assistance for the conservation of significant conservation resources in private landholdings in rural areas is an action which can be taken to address the problems of land degradation and loss of natural resources. | The allowance of discount on rates is conditional on Council receiving the full payment of rates which has been levied (net of the discount incentive) by the due date shown on the rates notice. | To provide Council with a contemporary investment policy based on an assessment of counterparty, market and liquidity risk within the legislative framework of the Statutory Bodies Financial Arrangements Act and Regulations. | THAT in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 14 Part 6 of the Local Government Act 1993 Mackay City Council has resolved to implement a process to provide relief to residential ratepayers on low incomes and Not–for-profit organisations who are experiencing hardship. | To protect the complainant from any persecution and also to maintain the effectiveness of complaints as a source of information. | To establish a process for the acquisition of land by Council as required for the provision of services to the general community. | Mackay City Council recognises its moral and legal obligation to conduct its activities to provide a work environmen | The objective of this policy is to provide guidelines for Councillors attendance at Seminars/Conferences/Delegated Representations. | The Local Government Finance Standard 2005 requires that Council have in place a formal policy, including guidelines, in relation to official entertainment and hospitality. The policy established should be subject to periodic review to ensure that it adequately reflects the operating environment of the organisation. | The purpose of this Policy is to establish Council’s Position regarding Community Service Obligations (CSOs) with respect to business activities where Council has resolved to apply the Code of Competitive Conduct (the Code) and commercialisation requirements. | To ensure compliance with the Local Government Finance Standards as well as ensuring that appropriate forward financial planning is undertaken. | The intention is that the Revenue Policy forms the basis of the revenue measures adopted by the Council at the Budget Meeting and throughout the financial year it relates to. |
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Community and Customer Services
| Local law or policy | Purpose | Responding positively to cultural diversity in Mackay | Mackay City Council recognises and values the young people of the region and will endeavour to be responsive to their needs by providing opportunities for participation, celebration and influence in community life. | Mackay City Council recognises and values the community of the region and will endeavour to be responsive to the needs of its members by providing opportunities for participation, choice and resources as a means of achieving, enhancing and sustaining quality of life. | The objective of this program is to: (a) Provide assistance to local community groups/organisations who make positive contributions to the quality of life in the local government area. (b) Provide assistance to individual residents who, through their own achievements, make a valuable contribution to the community. | The objective of this program is to: (a) Provide a high level of services to enhance the quality of life of the community in the areas of public health and environment, recreation, culture and community development. (b) To compliment Mackay City Council’s economic and regional development objectives as stated in the Corporate Plan. | The objective of this policy is to: (a) Provide guidelines for the in kind assistance Mackay City Council offers to the community. (b) Provide a framework for the community to lodge requests for in kind assistance. | Mackay has a proud sporting heritage that has produced many sporting champions participating in a wide range of sports. Mackay City Council is committed to assisting Mackay junior sport persons in achieving excellence in their chosen sport. | Mackay City Council, to its best endeavours practically and financially, will show leadership and demonstrate best practice by adopting and implementing policies and practices which will reinforce the right of people with a disability to full and equal participation in the life of the Mackay community. | For the purposes of this policy, community engagement refers to the processes implemented by Mackay City Council during the planning and evaluation of Council policy, programs and services to either inform, consult or engage with the community prior to decision-making. | It is the Council’s Policy to officially welcome visits by Royalty, Vice Regal representatives, leaders of Government from Australia and overseas and all other appropriate representatives of major organisations in fields such as community affairs, cultural activities, commerce and industry, religion, sport, the professions and the like. | To recognise and foster the formal and active Sister City relationships held with the cities of Matsuura and Honiara, and to maintain a good relationship with the local government and local communities of each Sister City. As part of the fostering of a stable and growing friendship between cities and citizens, recognise that regular and formal or civic contact between community leaders and City Officials of the Sister Cities is required. | Corporate Communications liaises with the media on behalf of Council with the objective of promoting a positive and authoritative image of Council, as well as an understanding of Council policies. Council's dealings with the media are aimed at projecting a consistent and united image. | To establish Policy guidelines for the submission of advertisements or media campaigns in newspapers, magazines, brochures, internet or on radio and television. | The Library's Collection Development Policy documents the strategies for developing and managing the collection held within Mackay Libraries. | This Computer and Internet Public Access Policy provides the guidelines and conditions for public access to the Internet and use of library service computers. | This policy documents the criteria and conditions in which bookings can be accepted for the use of the Gordon White Library Meeting Room. | This Policy provides Mackay City Council with guidelines on the acquisition and ongoing management of its Art Collection and associated programs so as to provide an ongoing resource for the community of Mackay. | To ensure equitable access to Mackay City Council Swim Centres | To ensure that persons coaching at Council’s pools are fully trained and qualified, and that sufficient facilities are available for the proper enjoyment of users. | Mackay City Council recognises and celebrates the contribution of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and their culture to the region, and continually seeks to be responsive to their needs by ensuring that the rights, interests and well-being of Indigenous people are promoted and protected. | The Cultural Development Policy defines how Council continues to support the arts and cultural community by identifying program opportunities, facilities, communication and development opportunities as Mackay embraces growth for a liveable city. |
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Infrastructure Services
| Local law or policy | Purpose | To discourage vandals from defacing public property under the control of Council by the rapid removal of graffiti on such property. | A guideline for the use of Council Plant by Community Groups. | Guidelines for use of Council Vehicles & Plant by SES Personnel. | To set a procedure to apply to requests or recommendations to Council for the closing or opening of a road to vehicle or pedestrian movements as a means of managing traffic. | The objective of this policy is to establish the circumstances under which Council may be willing to act as lead agent for the design, construction and maintenance of seawalls as a coastal management device. | To define guidelines in relation to the construction of driveways and property accesses in association with Council’s road construction/reconstruction activities. | To define guidelines in relation to construction of driveways and property accesses crossing road reserves such that a uniform standard is achieved and safe access to roads is maintained. | To define the procedures required to assess the road impacts of proposed development projects and identify measures to mitigate any road impacts the project may have including cost recovery for calculated deterioration. | To define the procedures required by service providers involved in installing kerbside numbering. | To define the procedures required and conditions attached to works involving temporary closures or infrastructure installation within the Road Reserve. | To define the procedures required to undertake works involving temporary closures within the Road Reserve. | A guideline on the reservation of Cemetery Plots. | A guideline on the placing of plaques and accessories at Mt Bassett Cemetery. | A guideline for the construction of vaults at Cemeteries. | A guideline for the interment of a deceased person other than a Cemetery. | To reimburse grave purchase fees where a plaque is provided by the Office of Australia War Graves | To set standards and guidelines for the use of and services provided by, Council operated cemeteries. | To set procedures for the exhumation of human remains from a cemetery | To allow for the waiving of fees in relation to a pauper funeral. | To recognise persons who have a claim over a cemetery plot utilised prior to 1994 allowing those persons to maintain a monument on the plot, despite ownership of the plot being uncertain. | The Council encourages the use of parks and recreation reserves for recreational purposes by the community. Except where otherwise signed, parks and reserves are open to the public twenty-four (24) hours a day. | Guidelines for naming of a Park. | To allow the use of potted palms by charitable, community and non-commercial organisations under certain circumstances. | Council recognises the tenancy of persons presently occupying dwellings on Crown Land at Far Beach, Mackay (Reserve 477, Vacant Crown Land to the South of it) and although no action is intended to require the cessation of a tenancy or demolition of a dwelling located thereon during the period of the residence of the tenant or spouse, it is Council's objective to secure the area as vacant. | Guidelines for the landscapig of Road Reserves, Parks and Drainage Reserves. | To provide the ordered conduct of short term camping facilities for the benefit of the general public, so that the camping environment is maintained and used in an acceptable manner. | To enhance the visual appeal and tropical character of the City through the establishment and maintenance of avenues of trees along all public roads throughout the City. | To ensure that any seats placed throughout the City, but especially within the CBD, are of Council approved design and are located appropriately. | To provide guidelines and identify criteria for the acquisition of land utilising funds from the Natural Environment Levy. |
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Mackay Water
| Local law or policy | Purpose | The objectives of the Council in controlling the discharge of Trade Waste into the Sewerage System | Liquid wastes are produced by a variety of industrial, commercial and domestic activities. The Environmental Protection Act 1994 provides a general prohibition against the pollution of the environment by the discharge of such wastes, except where the person or agency holds an environmental authority permitting such discharge. | To protect the integrity and function of underground sewerage infrastructure by providing design standards for buildings, structures and materials which are to be built or placed, over or adjacent to the sewerage system | All commercial and industrial properties or mixed developments are required to install a backflow prevention device for containment protection. The installation of a backflow prevention device is necessary to ensure the water supply system is protected from unwanted cross connections and/or backflow of possible contaminants into the water supply. | To set out the conditions and charges for the supply of bulk water for construction purposes and for filling swimming pools. | To set procedures for any works including the connection and access to Mackay Water's assets. | To specify requirements for water meter connections to Community Title developments. | To set guidelines for the service of water and fire lines and meters, including responsibility. | To meter all fire services. | To allow for the connection of a water service to a property or properties outside the Mackay City Council limits subject to conditions. | To set guidelines for the development of the Midge Point Water Supply Scheme, and set out arrangements for service connections to the Scheme. | To set guidelines for the development of the Seaforth Water Supply Scheme. | To ensure the interruption of water supply to customers is minimised during planned works. To ensure customers are given adequate notice of planned shut downs of their water supply. | To define responsibilities for maintaining and clearing of blockages in private property drains. | To set guidelines for sewer requirements in relation to the redevelopment of properties. | To ensure that tops of maintenance holes are protected and surrounds maintained so that maintenance holes are always available for access and surface water infiltration is minimised, as these maintenance holes are required to provide access for inspection and maintenance of the Council's sewerage system. | The following clearances to Mackay Water sewerage and water assets become effective as of September 2003. All new service utility assets and structures with the exception of any works under construction as of this date, for which Council approval has been granted, shall comply. Clearance also applies for the design and construction of new water and sewer mains to existing third party assets. | This policy may be cited as Mackay City Council’s policy No. MW17 – Water Supply Conservation. | The major objectives of the Rainwater Tank Rebate Scheme are to: (a) Reduce demand from the reticulated water supply (b) Reduce stormwater runoff (c) Assist in the preservation of our environment by conserving water |
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Engineering docs repository
| Local law or policy | Purpose | To set a procedure to apply to requests or recommendations to Council for the closing or opening of a road to vehicle or pedestrian movements as a means of managing traffic. | To define guidelines in relation to the construction of driveways and property accesses in association with Council’s road construction/reconstruction activities. | To define guidelines in relation to construction of driveways and property accesses crossing road reserves such that a uniform standard is achieved and safe access to roads is maintained. | To define the procedures required to assess the road impacts of proposed development projects and identify measures to mitigate any road impacts the project may have including cost recovery for calculated deterioration. | To define the procedures required and conditions attached to works involving temporary closures or infrastructure installation within the Road Reserve. | To define the procedures required to undertake works involving temporary closures within the Road Reserve. |
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