Local Laws

Local Law No. 1 (Administration)

The purpose of this local law is to provide a legal and procedural framework for the administration, implementation and enforcement of the local government’s local laws, subordinate local laws and specified regulatory powers under legislation, and to provide for miscellaneous administrative matters.

Subordinate Local Law No. 1 (Administration)

The purpose of this subordinate local law is to supplement Local Law No. 1 (Administration) 2018, which provides for a legal and procedural framework for the administration, implementation and enforcement of the local government’s local laws, subordinate local laws and other regulatory powers, and for miscellaneous administrative matters.

Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management)

The purpose of this local law is to regulate and manage the keeping and control of animals in the local government’s area in a way that:

• balances community expectations with the rights of individuals; and
• protects the community against risks to health and safety; and
• prevents pollution and other environmental damage; and
• protects the amenity of the local community and environment.

Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management)

The purpose of this subordinate local law is to supplement Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2018, which provides for regulation of the keeping and control of animals within the local government’s area.

Local Law No. 3 (Community & Environment Management)

The purpose of this local law is to protect the environment and public health, safety and amenity within the local government’s area.

Subordinate Local Law No. 3 (Community & Environment Management)

The purpose of this subordinate local law is to supplement Local Law No. 3 (Community and Environment Management) 2018, which provides for protecting the environment and public health, safety and amenity within the local government’s area.

Local Law No. 4 (Local Government Controlled Area, Facilities and Roads)

The purpose of this local law is to:

• protect the health and safety of persons using local government controlled land, facilities, infrastructure and roads; and
• preserve features of the natural and built environment and other aspects of the amenity of local government controlled land, facilities, infrastructure and roads.

Subordinate Local Law No. 4 (Local Government Controlled Area, Facilities and Roads)

The purpose of this subordinate local law is to supplement Local Law No.4 (Local Government Controlled Areas, Facilities and Roads) 2018, in order to protect the health and safety of persons using local government controlled land, facilities, infrastructure and roads and preserve features of the natural and built environment and other aspects of the amenity of local government controlled land, facilities, infrastructure and roads.

Unauthorised use of WTA land – Subordinate Local Law No. 4 (Local Government Controlled Area, Facilities and Roads)

Vehicles & Motorbikes

It is important to preserve the flora and fauna within our township to ensure everyone can continue to enjoy public areas safely and without nuisance. Driving and/or riding any vehicles including quadbikes and ATV’s in town reserves, parks and foreshores is not permitted, without approval. These activities threaten the safety of park users and can cause significant damage to the natural environment and infrastructure. This also applies to residents accessing their properties through WTA land that is not a designated driveway.

• Weipa Town Authority encourages motorbike riders to utilise designated motorbike facilities rather than parks or WTA land.
• Unlicensed riders and/or unregistered vehicles are not permitted on Queensland roads and may attract fines or prosecution.

Parking & storing equipment and materials on footpaths, easements and reserves

No equipment, vehicles or materials are to be stored on areas outside of the property boundary which includes road verges & footpaths, nature strips and park areas. Footpath and road verge access must not be obstructed in any way that interferes with pedestrians or cyclists e.g. from cars and vehicles by roping or barricading across the footpath or storing soil, building materials, rocks and the like on the footpath.

Trees, Gardens & Nature Strips

Extending gardens or planting trees and shrubs outside of your property boundary is not permitted. WTA may remove plants or trees that were planted without authorisation.

Cutting down or removing trees on WTA land is also not permitted. Please contact us on 4030 9400 if you would like to report a hazardous tree or branch.

Fires Subordinate Local Law No. 3 (Community and Environment Management)

Outdoor fires are prohibited unless the fire is enclosed in a fireplace constructed to prevent the escape of fire or any burning material.

Under the Fire and Emergency Services Act 1990, there are strict conditions about lighting fires in open areas. More information about lighting open-air fires is available from the Rural Fire Brigades, go to the website https://www.qfes.qld.gov.au/safety-education/using-fire-outdoors

Backyard Burning

Smoke and particles from open-air fires can cause a nuisance to neighbours or interfere with their day-to-day activities. If severe enough it can affect health. 

Residents are not permitted to burn household or garden waste in incinerators, barbecues or by any other means within the residential areas of Weipa.  

This does not apply to the use a wood-fired barbecue or a fire pit used for the purpose of cooking food.

Advertising Devices Subordinate Local Law No. 1 (Administration)

The use of signage in Weipa is regulated to ensure the safety and amenity of the surrounding area.

What is an advertising device?

An advertising device is a business or advertising sign. Advertising devices come in many sizes and designs, and may impact the surrounding area in which they are placed. To ensure the surrounding area is not adversely affected, the Weipa Town Plan regulates the use of advertising devices within the township.

Do I need WTA approval before I put up my advertising device?

It depends on the type of sign, and the zoning of the property the advertising device is proposed to be placed on. To find out if you need approval, please call us on 4030 9400 or you can review a copy of the Town Planning Scheme here.

Temporary low impact signage – garage sales, events & general public information

The following types of advertising are permitted and do not generally require approval. General requirements for all advertising signs include:

• signs may not be placed on roundabouts, centre traffic islands, median strips, any state-controlled road or on any road infrastructure; and
• signs must not be placed on road infrastructure including traffic or advisory signs; and
• signs must not be nailed to trees or other vegetation; and
• shall be constructed to withstand consequent wind or other load.
• Not cause a threat to public safety, road users and/or pedestrians

Events / Directional signage:

Signs intended to provide directional information to motorists about the location of an event/facility or feature that meets the following criteria:

• must only be displayed 7 days prior to, and on the day or days of the event without; and
• must be removed within 24 hours of the conclusion of the event; and
• a maximum of (5) five signs per each event may be displayed, unless approval for more signs has been given in writing by an authorised person for the local government; and
• each sign must have a maximum face area (0.54m² – 900mm x 600mm).

Garage sale and markets signs:

• does not exceed 750mm x 400mm or 0.3m² in area per side;
• the number of signs must not exceed (5) per event which includes the sign erected at the property
• only (1) sign may be placed at each intersection

Election / candidate signage:

• only one election sign per candidate per allotment must be displayed; and
• signs must not exceed 0.6m2; and
• signs must not be erected prior to an election date being announced; and
• signs must be removed within one week after an election; and
• each candidate must pay a $100.00 deposit to the Weipa Town Authority prior to the display of any sign which is refundable upon removal of all signs within 7 days after the election. Details of where the signs are to be located and when they will be erected and removed will need to be provided to WTA.