Have your say on new laws

New local laws for patrolled beaches, cemeteries and works in waterway areas are in the pipeline - and Moreton Bay Regional Council wants to know what residents think.

Mayor Peter Flannery says the proposed laws were drafted to reflect feedback Council received during community consultation earlier in the year.

The first three of 13 are Local Laws for Bathing Reserves, Maintenance of Works in Waterway Areas, and Cemeteries.

“Thanks to thousands of submissions from our community, Council is ready to progressively release 13 proposed laws over four phases,” he says.

“The proposed Bathing Reserves Local Law regulates our patrolled beaches, including behaviour between the red and yellow flags.

“This is important so that everyone can enjoy our beautiful beaches in a safe and social manner.”

Moreton Bay is home to two bathing reserves - Suttons Beach at Redcliffe and Woorim Beach on Bribie Island.

What’s happening

The proposed law includes prohibiting interference with flags, signs or life-saving equipment; banning use of certain aquatic equipment in certain areas; regulating behaviour that may create risk to the safety of others; and giving Surf Life Saving Clubs flexibility and autonomy to manage, supervise and patrol bathing reserves.

Rules about bathing reserves were previously spread across a number of Local Laws and the new law will bring them all into one place.

Mayor Flannery says the proposed Maintenance of Works in Waterway Areas law will provide a tailored response to the current needs and interests of the Moreton Bay community regarding works in waterway areas, including canal retaining walls and seawalls.

“The proposed Cemeteries Local Law will streamline how Council regulates and operates cemeteries into a consolidated independent local law.”

Consultation for phase one is open until November 21.

Have your say here.