The owner or occupier of any land must not cause or allow the land to be kept in a condition which is unsightly or detrimental to the amenity of 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 (rats and mice)
• there is not an accumulation of building waste and materials
• the land is not used for the storage of unregistered motor vehicles
• noxious weeds not allowed to exist on the land

 We visit properties to identify trouble spots and you will be asked to trim trees or plants that are deemed to be unsafe or blocking access to public areas.

See Clause 41. Unsightly land section of the General Local Law (consolidated) for detailed information.

Report an unsightly property

Report littering

You must not place objects such as signs, skip bins, tools and equipment on our roads or footpaths without our permission. Items can impact line of sight on roads which can affect safety or they may just be in the way and prevent access for residents and visitors.

Service authorities are exempt from this clause for emergency works.

See Clause 10 Obstructions and Hazards on Roads and Council Land of the General Local Law (consolidated) for detailed information.

Report an obstruction

If you are owner or occupier of private land you must not allow a tree, shrub, hedge or other vegetation to grow less than 2.4 metres over a road or footpath.

See Clause 9. Vegetation of the General Local Law (consolidated) for detailed information.

Report overhanging vegetation

You are not permitted to camp in any of the parks and gardens in Yarra. See Clause 17 of the General Local Law (consolidated) for detailed information.

People who are homeless or sleeping rough are exempt from these clauses. 

Report camping in a Yarra park or garden

Persons may consume alcohol or be in possession of an open container of alcohol in any public place in Yarra, with the exception of the alcohol free zones listed below.

Year round alcohol free zones

• All of Yarra's public parks and reserves from 9 pm at night until 9 am the next morning;
• On the footpath adjoining a licensed venue when it is open and trading (except venues mainly selling takeaway liquor like bottleshops);
• Within 10 metres of the entrance and exit of a public buildings or facility that provide 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 after 9 pm the day before the game, all of Grand Final day, and until 9 am the morning after the game.

New Year's Eve

• All public places in Yarra are alcohol free from 9 pm on 30 December to 9 am 1 January each year.

Council also has the power to add additional alcohol free zones, or to remove these restrictions temporarily for a special event or festival.

Council's authorised officers and Victoria Police officers have the authority to enforce this local law, including the power to direct that you cease consumption, reseal a container or dispose of it.

See Part 20A, Consumption of Liquor in Public Places, of the General Local Law (consolidated) for detailed information.

Report the consumption of alcohol in public places

If you wish to report anti-social behaviour, contact Victoria Police.

 If you are regularly woken at night by waste collection activates, it may be a breach. Our Compliance team can investigate these matters under Clause 54 of the General Local Law (consolidated)

'A person must not collect any trade waste from any trade waste hopper before 7am or after 8pm Monday to Saturday and before 9am or after 8pm on any Sunday and public holidays.

Report a noisy trade waste hopper or collection vehicle

The following items should not be used in our parks and gardens without a permit:

• generators
• amplifier or speakers for the purpose of amplifying music or voices
• drums or percussion instruments
• megaphones
• car radios audible to any person outside the motor vehicle
• device that plays music or videos at a volume that can be heard in a habitable room of a dwelling in the area of the park or garden 

See Clause 44. Disturbing noise in parks and gardens of the General Local Law (consolidated) for detailed information.

Report noise in parks and gardens

There are many things that contribute to the air quality in an inner-city municipality like Yarra.

Council can assist to minimise some local sources of pollution, such as from open air burning and wood fire heaters and cooking appliances.

Open air burning and incinerators

Under Part 20 of Council’s General Local Law (consolidated) it is an offence to light a fire in the open without a permit, unless this is done in a purpose-built BBQ or pizza oven that is being used for the purpose of cooking food, or in a chiminea.

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

You can lodge a complaint about burning in the open air.

Wood fire heaters and cooking appliances

Wood fire heaters and cooking appliances are a permitted form of heating and cooking, however when not operated or maintained correctly, they can cause excessive smoke and create a health risk to both the surrounding neighbours and the person using the wood fire heater or cooking appliance. Even with correct use it is reasonable that there will be smoke from time to time.

Commonly a resident who operates a wood fire heater or cooking appliance is not aware that the smoke they are creating is causing a concern to their neighbours. If you are concerned about excessive smoke from a wood fire heater or cooking appliance, we recommend that you first speak with your neighbour to try to achieve an outcome that suits all parties.

Reducing wood smoke

If you are using a wood fire heater or cooking appliance, there are several steps you can take to reduce air pollutants and ensure the 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 EPA has a helpful information to demonstrate how to use your wood fire heater the right way and offers efficiency tips that are also applicable to cooking appliances.

Reducing the frequency of operation of a wood fire heater or cooking appliance and using alternative forms of heating will significantly reduce the impact on yourself and surrounding neighbours.

The EPA website also has a lot more information on Wood Smoke and Air Quality.

Reporting wood smoke issues

Excessive wood smoke from an unreasonable activity can be investigated under the nuisance provisions of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act (2008).

You can make a complaint about wood smoke pollution to council.

Alternatives to wood fire heaters

Whilst wood fire heaters and fireplaces are permitted, their smoke can pollute the air, contributing to climate change and posing health risks. There are simple ways you can avoid or reduce these impacts and enjoy cleaner, healthier heating in your home.

Go all-electric and avoid burning fuel

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.