The State Government now requires local laws to be reviewed every 15 years instead of eight.

The City is updating this Local Law so it aligns with current practices and Council policies.

Originally, all of the local laws were combined into one big document, the City of Swan Consolidated Local Law 2005.

This meant that if even a tiny part of one law needed updating, the entire large document technically needed to be reopened, reviewed, and amended. That created extra work, delays, and unnecessary administrative effort.

To fix this, the laws are being deconsolidated, which simply means they are being split back into separate individual laws instead of living together in one combined document.

This means that the City needs to pass some new local laws. In this instance, the Activities in Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law

Anyone using City-owned or managed land:

This includes community groups, clubs, market organisers, pop‑up traders, event organisers, and anyone wanting to use parks, buildings, or other City spaces.

If you use local government property, you may need to apply for approval.

Street market organisers and stallholders:

• Street markets will now fall under this Local Law

• If you don’t currently need a street trading permit, nothing changes, you still won’t need one

• This excludes designated trading areas, such as Bells Rapids, where approvals may still apply.

Pop-up traders:

• Approvals will be easier because the Local Law brings several processes together

• Many approvals can be requested online through the City’s booking system.

The Local Law sets out how local government property can be used and what rules apply.

It helps the City manage:

• Activities in parks, reserves, buildings, and public spaces

• Safety and public access

• Fair and consistent trading on City property.

The core purpose of the Local Law is to make sure that people using local government property do so safely, responsibly, and with the City’s oversight.

Because of that, the Local Law requires that anyone using or trading on City property must apply for and obtain approval before carrying out their activity.

The City can provide this approval in flexible ways, including:

• A formal licence; or

• A written approval, such as:

• A booking confirmation

• An email authorisation.

This flexibility allows the City to match the type of approval to the type of activity, making the process simpler and more practical for community members, traders, and event organisers.

To use or trade on local government property, you must apply for and obtain approval from the City and in many cases, this can be done quickly and easily online.

No, but it will be considered as part of the decision-making process. State legislation requires certain provisions to remain

For information on the procedure for making a local law head to:

https://www.dlgsc.wa.gov.au/department/publication...