Local Law 2 (Animal Management) 2011

Did you know?

Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011(PDF, 384KB) allows Council to regulate and manage the keeping and control of animals in the Rockhampton Region in a way that:

• Balances community expectations with the rights of individuals
• Protects the community against risks to health and safety
• Prevents pollution and other environmental damage
• Protects the amenity of the local community and environment

This Local Law sets out the regulations for the keeping of animals in terms of how many, what type, how and where animals can be kept, and the prescribed minimum standards for keeping animals, and the effective control of animals in public places.

It also covers the establishment and administration of Council’s Animal Management Centre.

Did you know you may require an approval to keep certain animals in the Rockhampton Region?

• 3 dogs over the age of 12 weeks on any premises
• 1 or more dogs on non-residential premises
• A guard dog on any premises
• 3 cats over the age of 12 weeks on any premises
• More than 1 horse (other than a racehorse or a stallion) or donkey on an allotment with an area less than 20,000m²
• More than 1 cow excluding premises with an urban area on an allotment with an area less than 2,000m²
• More than 1 bull o n an allotment with an area less than 10,000m²
• More than 1 sheep, goat, alpaca or llama on an allotment with an area less than 20,000m²
• More than 10, but not more than 20 birds, other than nuisance birds of same or different species on an allotment with an area less than 801m²
• More than 20, but not more than 40 birds, other than nuisance birds of same or different species on an allotment with an area between 801m²  less than 2,500m² 
• 1 or more nuisance birds including rooster, goose, cockatoo, galah or peacock on an allotment with an area less than 20,000m²
• More than 2 bee hives on an allotment with an area between 800m² and 1,000m²
• More than 5 bee hives on an allotment with an area between 1,001m² and 2,000 m²
• 1 or more racing pigeons on an allotment with an area of 800m² 
• More than 1 pig (include a miniature pig) on premise with an area less than 20,000m²
• More than 3 greyhounds over the age of 12 weeks on an allotment depending on the area of the allotment
• 1 or more racehorses on premises in an urban area
• 1 or more stallions on a premises with an area not less than 40,000m²

A full list of the prohibited animals is available in Schedule 1 of the Subordinate Local Law.

Did you know there are the minimum standards for keeping animals in the Rockhampton Region?

• The animal must be adequately identified so the owner’s name, address and telephone number are shown.
• The animal must be kept without nuisance to others.
• You must make adequate provisions for food and water.
• You must remove daily excrement, food scraps and other waste that is likely to become offensive, and dispose of it.
• An enclosure of appropriate size for the animal must be provided.
• The enclosure must be suitably fenced and maintained.
• The enclosure must be regularly disinfected ensuring that any run off water is drained away from adjoining land.

You should also check if a code of practice for the keeping of a particular animal has been approved, as there may be other requirements.

Did you know the owner or responsible person must at all times ensure their animal is under effective control in a public place?

An animal is under effective control only if the person is physically able to control the animal by being held on a leash, halter or rein, or held in a temporary enclosure, or tethered it to a fixed object which can not be moved, or tethered it in or on a vehicle and unable to reach beyond the vehicle extremities.

Animals are prohibited in a public place within 10m of any playground equipment, which is provided for the use of minors, barbecues or other cooking facility?

If an animal defecates in a public place, the responsible person must immediately remove and dispose of the faeces in a sanitary way.

Full details are available in and Local Law No 2 (Animal Management) 2011 and the associated Subordinate Local Law.

New Local Laws – A consistent approach for our community

For more information click on the headings under Local Laws or related links and documents or call Council's Customer Service Centre on 1300 22 55 77.