Community Local Law 2017 will replace the soon to be out of date Local Law 17 and is on display for public feedback.

Council infrastructure and environment director Terry Demeo said the draft would modernise the local law.

“It is a complete rewrite – the current law expires at the end of the year,” he said.

“Therefore we do have to modernise it and review the local law.”

The draft laws, which cover property, animal and waste collection, parking vehicles and on road activity, alcohol and smoking, businesses and builders, and council assets and administration.

It also includes new powers to fine owners of dilapidated buildings.

Council has also hosted community consultation sessions, the last of which, will go ahead from 4pm-7pm on Thursday.

Mr Demeo said many of the changes involved areas of council business where there was strong community feedback.

It includes the power to recover costs from drivers who leave a mess that require a clean up on council roads.

“If a person changes a road or requires a road to be cleaned of any spillage, council may recover the cost for carrying out these works,” Mr Demeo said.

“For example a brick manufacturer or a quarry, where they drag a heap of clay or mud onto a road, and we have had to clean it – we can recover those costs.

“It gives us an mechanism so the public purse does not wear it completely.”

The draft local law said a ratepayer “must remove and rectify any change he or she has made to council land or any road as a result of the unauthorised occupation within 14 days of being directed to do so by an authorised officer or delegated officer or other reasonable time determined by the Council.”

Landowners must also keep their property in safe conditions and face fines if it becomes dangerous or a haven for vermin and weeds.

It also restricts pets to no more than six different types of any animal on property less than two hectares, unless the owner has a permit.

Council’s explanatory note for the draft law said it is intended to mitigate or eliminate problems.

Mr Demeo said it would also be easier for the community to understand.

“We have reviewed other municipalities and tried to get Ballarat ahead of the game, in terms of providing a mechanism to support a more orderly development across the city, and provide a few more levers around council being able to address concerns,” he said.

“There has been tweaks in the wording and the intent is clearer.

“We are consulting to give people the chance to have a look at it and ask questions.”