Draft Local Government Property and Public Places Local Law 2026

We’re proposing to make a new Local Government Property and Public Places Local Law, and we’re seeking your feedback.

The City of Fremantle currently have two separate local laws which govern local government property and public places. The Council have approved to combine the two, pending community consultation, to make one singular local law.

Currently, the two local laws regulate different types of public spaces and activities within the City of Fremantle. These two local laws also have overlapping provisions like tree protection, advertising signs, and obstructing or damaging public places.

Activities in Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law 2005 (current)

This local law governs the use of public thoroughfares and public places, particularly roads, footpaths, verges and areas where trading occurs. It establishes rules about what people can and cannot do in those spaces and when a permit is required.

Key matters regulated include:

• Activities on roads, footpaths and verges.
• Signage in public places (temporary signage, A Frames, etc).
• Obstructions, excavations, trenching and works affecting thoroughfares.
• Verge treatments (verge gardens).
• Street trading, hawking, busking and other commercial activities conducted in public places.
• Temporary crossings and access arrangements associated with building works.

Local Government Property Local Law 2002 (current)

This local law governs the use and management of local government property owned, managed or controlled by the City of Fremantle, including parks, reserves, buildings, jetties, recreation areas, foreshore areas and certain waters adjacent to the district.

Key matters regulated include:

• Permitted and prohibited activities on local government land.
• The City's ability to designate particular areas for specific uses or prohibit certain activities.
• Trading and commercial activities on local government land.
• Use of parks, reserves, beaches, jetties and public facilities.

Local Government Property and Public Places Local Law 2026 (new draft)

The proposed local law will combine the two above local laws, with some changes to protect trees, requirements to display an advertising sign, and the ability for the City of Fremantle to determine smoke free areas and privacy protected areas. The changes are highlighted in the Key Documents section below.

Public Notice

In accordance with section 3.12 and 3.16 of the Local Government Act 1995, the City of Fremantle gives public notice that:

1. The City Fremantle Activities in Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law 2005 the City of Fremantle Local Government Property Local Law 2002 are proposed to be reviewed, in accordance with the approved schedule adopted by Council; and
2. The City intends to:
   1. Repeal the City of Fremantle Activities in Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law 2005 and the City of Fremantle Local Government Property Local Law 2002; and
   2. Make the City of Fremantle Local Government Property and Public Places Local Law 2026, the purpose and effect of which is as follows:
      
      Purpose: To provide for the regulation, control and management of activities and facilities on local government property and in public places within the district.
      
      Effect:
      a. Repeals the City of Fremantle Activities in Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law 2005 and the City of Fremantle Local Government Property Local Law 2002; and
      
      b. Replaces the above local laws with a new local law that establishes the requirements with which any persons using or being on local government and in a public place within the district, must comply.

Following adoption by Council, the abovementioned local law will come into operation 14 days after publication in the Government Gazette.

Copies are available to view online, and in hard copy at the Walyalup Civic Centre.

Submit Feedback

The City of Fremantle invite public submissions. Submissions will be reviewed and presented to Council, who will decide whether to amend the current local laws, repeal them and adopt the draft local law, or leave them unchanged.

If you would like to meet with City staff before submitting your feedback, please email communityengagement@fremantle.wa.gov.au

Please note, 1:1 meeting requests are subject to staff availability and scheduling. Group meetings will be capped to 10 people at a time.

Submissions can be submitted online via the submission form below, or:

• By Mail
  PO Box 807
  Fremantle WA 6959
• In Person
  Walyalup Civic Centre
  151 High Street
  Fremantle WA 6160
• By email – governance@fremantle.wa.gov.au
• Online via the submission form below

A hard copy of the survey can be sent or picked up upon request by emailing the Governance Team via governance@fremantle.wa.gov.au.

Submissions close at 5pm AWST on Sunday, 6 December 2026.