You can drink or be in possession of an open container of alcohol in any public place in Yarra, excluding alcohol free zones. These are described below.

Year-round alcohol-free zones include:

• all public parks and reserves in Yarra from 9.00pm - 9.00am
• footpaths next to an open licensed venue (except venues selling takeaway liquor like bottle shops)
• within 10 metres of the entrance and exit of a public buildings or facility that provides services to families and children (including libraries and leisure centres)
• on any road, including when in a vehicle

AFL Grand Final

An area around Swan Street on AFL Grand Final weekend is alcohol free from 9.00pm the day before the game, all day of the Grand Final through until 9.00am the morning after the game.

New Year's Eve

All public places in the Yarra are alcohol free from 9.00pm on 30 December to 9.00am 1 January.

Yarra can add additional alcohol-free zones or remove restrictions temporarily for a special event or festival.

We aim to maintain safe and accessible public spaces for everyone. Therefore, camping is not allowed on Council land, including parks and gardens. 

In addition, camping on private property is only permitted if authorised by the Planning Scheme or you obtain a permit.

Importantly, this does not affect individuals experiencing homelessness. We are committed to working with outreach services to provide compassionate support and assistance to those sleeping rough in our community. 

Visit our homelessness and rough sleeping page for more information.

We receive a significant number of dumped rubbish or littering requests each year. 

Council will investigate any dumped rubbish where the offender may be identifiable or if there was a witness that may be able to assist in identifying the offender. 

If you have witnessed dumped rubbish and may have information that can identify the offender, please report this to us.

Hard Waste Collections

There are some important things to be mindful when booking in a hard waste collection:

You must only place it our 24 hours before your collection date. 

You must not place it in a manner that causes a hazard to pedestrians or vehicles. When placing items out you need to ensure it is left out in a neat, tidy and safe manner.

If you are placing out a refrigerator, freezer, trunk or similar item with your hard waste collection you must ensure that every door or lid is completely removed and unable to be fastened.

For more information on how to place your hard waste collection out, please contact our customer experience team.

Reporting litter from a vehicle

Littering from a vehicle or near a vehicle, should be reported to the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) using the EPA form they will be able to investigate this further.

Local laws assist to minimise impacts from open air burning, wood fire heaters and cooking appliances.

Open air burning and incinerators

It is an offence to light a fire in the open without a permit, unless cooking food in a purpose-built BBQ, pizza oven or chiminea.

It is also an offence to use an incinerator at any time or to burn any substances that may generate dangerous smoke, such as burning painted timber, wood treated with chemicals and food waste.

Wood fire heaters and cooking appliances

Wood fire heaters and cooking appliances are permitted, however when not operated or maintained correctly, they can cause excessive smoke. Even with correct use there will be smoke from time to time.

Commonly a resident who operates a wood fire heater or cooking appliance is not aware the smoke they create is causing concern. Please speak with your neighbour and try to reach agreement first. If you are unable to resolve the concern, please submit a report and we will investigate further.

Reducing wood smoke

If you are using a wood fire heater or cooking appliance, there are several steps you can take to reduce pollution and ensure your fire burns as cleanly and efficiently as possible.

Examples include using dry, untreated, seasoned hardwood for fuel and making sure the heater’s flue is clean.

Victoria’s Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has helpful information:

• How to use your wood fire heater the right way
• Wood Smoke and Air Quality

Alternatives to wood fire heaters

The cleanest heating option is to not use wood as a source of heating at all. Electric heating options, especially reverse cycle air conditioning, are healthier, more sustainable ways to heat your home.

There are several Victorian Government incentives to help you switch to all-electric heating, powered by renewable energy with no use of gas:

• take up a rebate for low-income households to upgrade to an energy efficient reverse cycle air conditioner
• access discounted heating appliances through the Victorian Energy Upgrades program
• solar panel rebates and no-interest loans

Find out more about creating an all-electric home here.

Our roads, footpaths, and public spaces are vital for our entire community, supporting everyone from school children to elderly residents. However, unpermitted obstructions like advertising signs, footpath trading, skip bins, and construction materials create significant safety and accessibility concerns.

To occupy Council land for activities like outdoor dining or construction, a permit is required, ensuring safety and accessibility.

Trees, shrubs, hedges or other vegetation are not allowed to obstruct a clear view or grow over a road or footpath. It must not be less than 2.4 metres from the surface of the road or footpath.

Private property must not be kept in an unsightly condition or in a way that is detrimental to the neighbourhood.

The owner or occupier of any land must ensure that:

the land is not a danger, or likely to be a danger, to the health or property of any person;
weeds or grass on the land does not exceed 150mm in height;
there is no unconstrained waste on the land;
the land is not a harborage for vermin;
there is not an accumulation of building waste and materials;
the land is not used for the storage of unregistered motor vehicles; and
noxious weeds not allowed to exist on the land.

• All Victorian State Legislation can be found here: legislation.vic.gov.au
• General Local Law (consolidated) (PDF 732KB) [ PDF, 732.42 KB]
• General Local Law (consolidated) Procedures and Protocols Manual (PDF 309KB) [ PDF, 308.75 KB]
• General (Consumption of Liquor in Public Places) Amendment Local Law in 2021 (PDF 201KB) [ PDF, 201.31 KB] .