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2026 Local Laws Review 3.16

Project Overview

online community engagement

Local Laws shape many aspects of daily life, from how we use public spaces to the way local businesses operate.

The Town is reviewing a number of its Local Laws to make sure they remain clear, effective and aligned with current legislation and community expectations.

Under the Local Government Act 1995, all local laws older than eight years must be reviewed by 7 December 2026. This ensures that the Town’s local laws stay relevant, contemporary and easy to understand.

Your feedback will help shape how the Town updates or replaces local laws relating to:

What is happening?

The Town has completed a high level assessment and is proposing to:

  • Repeal outdated local laws that no longer reflect current standards or legislation.
  • Replace certain local laws with updated model local laws used across WA.
  • Consolidate related local laws, such as beach provisions, into a new Local Government Property Local Law.

How Can You Have Your Say?
Your input helps shape fair and practical rules that reflect what matters to you.

Let us know whether you think the laws should be amended, repealed or left unchanged. This means:

• Amend - make minor changes to the local law in order to make it fairer or more accurate, or to reflect changing circumstances. If the recommendation to Council is to amend, the draft local law will be presented to Council for permission to advertise for further consultation.
• Repeal - to revoke or withdraw the local law formally if it is determined that it’s no longer fit for purpose. If the recommendation to Council is to repeal, the existing local law will be presented to Council for permission to advertise for further consultation.
• Leave unchanged – no change will be made; this means no further consultation is required.


Submissions about the review of the local laws can be made through the submission survey below by 5pm on 19 June 2026.

To submit feedback in writing or via email, please contact the Town.
• By email: town@cottesloe.wa.gov.au
• By telephone: 08 9285 5000

  • 2026 Local Laws Review Survey

    Let us know whether you think the laws should be amended, repealed or left unchanged. This means:

    • Amend - make minor changes to the local law in order to make it fairer or more accurate, or to reflect changing circumstances. If the recommendation to Council is to amend, the draft local law will be presented to Council for permission to advertise for further consultation.
    • Repeal - to revoke or withdraw the local law formally if it is determined that it’s no longer fit for purpose. If the recommendation to Council is to repeal, the existing local law will be presented to Council for permission to advertise for further consultation.
    • Leave unchanged – no change will be made; this means no further consultation is required.

    Submissions about the review of the local laws can be made through the submission survey below by 5pm on 19 June 2026.

    Take this Survey

FAQ

If you wish to provide comments on a local law currently open for community consultation, the easiest way to give your feedback is online. Consultation will take place via the Town’s online engagement platform – Engage.  

To request alternative options to submit feedback in writing or via email, please contact the Town by email to town@cottesloe.wa.gov.au or call 08 9285 5000.

Please call the Town on 08 9285 5000 and ask to speak to the responsible officer.  

The Town will be advertising the proposed changes to any of the local laws, prior to their formal adoption by the Council. The recommended changes may include the amendment of existing local laws; the consolidation of multiple local laws into a revised single local law; and/or the revocation of out-dated local laws that are no longer considered necessary or fit for purpose. 

The comments received during public consultation will be used to guide and inform if further measures to local laws are appropriate, before they are considered for formal adoption by the Council. 

The Council undertakes reviews of its existing Local Laws at least every eight years to ensure they are relevant, appropriate, effective and are up to date with current legislative requirements.  From time to time the Council may decide to initiate an earlier review; an amendment to a current local law; or create an entirely new local law.  

These questions may help you when providing feedback about draft local laws: 

  • How could this local law’s provisions be improved, if at all, to assist the community, local governments and businesses? 
  • What costs would be saved by these improvements? 
  • What, if any, specific problems do I currently experience with these local laws or the way the Town administers them? 
  • Is the subject matter of the local law no longer current/relevant? What can be done to make it suit current circumstances? 
  • Has the State government made laws covering similar issues addressed in the local law? 
  • Has the current local law been successfully enforced, or has enforcement been ineffective due to problems with the drafting? 
  • Does the local law contain provisions that regulate development, which would be more appropriately dealt with in Council’s planning scheme? 
  • Are the issues addressed by the local law now addressed in a council policy or new licensing/approval/leasing arrangement?
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