Status: Open

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The Project

The City's Local Law 2 refers to the keeping of animals. The law outlines what the City regulates with the keeping of animals. Animals covered in the law include:

The current Local Law 2 will end in 2026. We are now reviewing the current version. This review aims to:

Thank you to everyone who provided feedback to our survey back in May.

What we heard:

  • 54% believe the number of animals allowed was reasonable
  • 80% support land size consideration for excess animal permits
  • 100% are aware people must clean up their dogs' faeces in public places
  • 51% believe dog faeces is a public issue; key areas: sports fields, Lake Weeroona
  • 79% support rooster permit restrictions in residential zones

We used this feedback to make proposed changes the Draft Keeping of Animals Local Law. These include:

  • Simpler requirements for poultry housing
  • Removed the ability to obtain a permit for a rooster in a residential area
  • Increase the number of cats allowed in a residential area to 3
  • Minor changes to the excess animal permit considerations for authorised officers and definition changes
  • Definition changes in relation to the planning zones cited
  • Inclusion of Animal Management Agreements

Share your thoughts

Please read the attached Draft Keeping of Animals Local law and provide feedback below.

Frequently asked questions

Need to find more information about the City's Local Law 2 and the keeping of animals?

You can visit the City's website page by clicking on the button below. If you have a question about this engagement, or have a question about keeping animals, you can get in touch with the team, details are in the contact us section below.

Visit the City website 'Keeping animals' page

You can reads the current Local Law 2 Keeping of animals on the City website.

Read the current Local Law 2

The Local Government Act 2020 gives Councils the ability to make Local Laws.

These laws support State Legislation and give Councils the opportunity to take local conditions, standards or circumstances into account.

Local Laws operate for a maximum of 10 years and must be renewed prior to expiring.

This process allows Councils to better support a growing population or changing circumstances within the municipality.

Local laws are used by councils to respond to issues and community needs within a local context. Local laws must not be inconsistent with any Act or regulations.

Everyone. A broad cross section of the Bendigo community - animal owners, non-animal owners, people who use public spaces, sporting and user groups and other stakeholders will all contribute a unique perspective to the creation of a new Local Law.

Provide feedback on the Domestic Animal Management Plan

The City is also reviewing the Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP). You can also provide feedback on this project. Go to the project page by clicking on the button below.

Domestic Animal Management Plan

Timeline

  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    Community feedback opens

    May 1, 2025

  • Timeline item 2 - complete

    Community feedback closes

    May 30, 2025

  • Timeline item 3 - complete

    Feedback reviewed and considered

    May - July 2025

  • Timeline item 4 - active

    Draft Keeping of Animals Local Law opens for feedback

    Tuesday 19 August 2025

  • Timeline item 5 - incomplete

    Draft Keeping of Animals Local Law closes for feedback

    Wednesday 17 September 2025

  • Timeline item 6 - incomplete

    Feedback reviewed and considered

    October 2025

  • Timeline item 7 - incomplete

    Draft Keeping of Animals Local Law presented to Council

    November 2025

  • Timeline item 8 - incomplete

    Community informed of the outcome

    November - December 2025

Contact Us

Have questions about this project, contact us below:

Contact Information
Name Local Laws and Animals Team
Phone 1300 002 642
Email animalservicesadmin@bendigo.vic.gov.au