Capel by-laws undergo change

Capel Shire Council will advertise a raft of new regulations after a major review into its local laws.

The council was set to approve the new laws for public advertising at its meeting last night.

The changes include amendments to present laws along with the repeal of several, which are set to be replaced.

Controls on the areas of cemeteries, fencing, parking and thoroughfares are among the changes.

Under Local Government requirements councils must review local laws within eight years, prompting the council into action.

Shire president Murray Scott said the review was part of the council's normal process, but was done in one hit to make sure all laws were still relevant.

"The changes, repeals and amendments will benefit the residents and staff, making them more relevant and appropriate to the shire today," he said.

In her report to council, governance officer Anna Handley said the aim of the review process was to determine whether each local law was still relevant.

"Officers identified a number of required and desired changes necessary to improve the relevance and currency of the local laws in question," Ms Handley said.

The proposed changes include new controls on thoroughfares to accommodate the development of areas like the Dalyellup Dist- rict Centre and the growing number of outdoor eating facilities.

A raft of penalties has also been modified under the changes.

These include if a shopper leaves a trolley anywhere other than a trolley bay, they will be hit with a $200 fine and someone who places an advertisement on a thoroughfare without a permit could be out of pocket by $300.

It is hoped changes to fencing laws will clear up any confusion in the shire, with the repeal of current laws to be replaced and to include clauses such as fence material specifications.

If passed at Wednesday night's meeting, all changes will advertised by the council before taking effect.

"Officers identified a number of required and desired changes necessary to improve the relevance and currency of the local laws in question." - Anna Handley