New advisory committee to consider upgrade of local laws
23 August 2024
A new Ipswich City Council committee will play a key role in upgrading the city’s local laws.
Finance and Governance Committee Chair Councillor Paul Tully said the Regulation Advisory Committee, which he also chairs, would be tasked with the major review.
“The advisory committee had a very productive first meeting on 5 August 2024, which outlined the role of the committee – a three-step review of our local laws,” Cr Tully said.
“Local laws are important for councils to be able to properly regulate issues in their local area – whether it is how to manage dangerous dogs, issues around parking, or protecting important vegetation.
“Often these are issues that can vary from one council area to another, so having the ability to review and amend laws to keep up with local community expectations and needs is an important role for Ipswich City Council.
“This review will involve developing a regulation policy setting out our strategic direction. Secondly, we will repeal the local law-making policy and replace it with a process. And thirdly, the major component, will be a comprehensive review of our local laws.
“Some local laws will be retained, some modified, and probably some new ones added based on our emerging, growing and diverse community.”
The Regulation Advisory Committee is made up of Cr Tully, Deputy Chairperson Cr Jim Madden, Cr Marnie Doyle and Cr Andrew Antoniolli.
“The Regulation Advisory Committee will also play an important role as council is preparing a new planning scheme, Ipswich Plan 2024, to help us plan for our growing city,” Cr Tully said.
“We need to determine what, if any, key changes may need to be made to council’s local laws to ensure that regulatory functions are not impacted.”
The Regulation Advisory Committee will meet as required and will make recommendations to the Finance and Governance Committee, with the agenda and minutes published online.