Unsightly or Dangerous Land
Council will investigate any property that may be considered unsightly or dangerous.
Council's Local Laws are enforced by Community Rangers and aim to maintain the general amenity of the neighbourhood by ensuring that properties are kept in a manner that is not dangerous or unsightly.
It is the responsibility of every property owner and occupier to ensure that their property is maintained in a safe and tidy manner that is of no detriment to neighbouring properties, from either a public safety or a community amenity point of view. Properties should be well maintained and should not have excessive vegetation, be a haven for vermin/insects, or have dangerous goods stored on their property.
Community Living Local Law Number 1, 2018, clause 2.1 states:
A person who owns or occupies property, must not allow or permit such property to be kept in a manner that is unsightly or detrimental to the general amenity of the neighbourhood, is out of character with other Allotments in the vicinity, or is dangerous or likely to cause danger to life or property. This includes property that is:
- unsightly;
- a haven for vermin, insects or excessive vegetation;
- used for the storage of any goods and/or substances which are dangerous or are likely to cause danger to life or property; and/or
- contains structures or buildings that are in poor repair and/or in a state of neglect.
Unsightly means a state or condition characterised by the presence of one or more of the following features or similar features of a property:
- excessive unconstrained rubbish such as paper, cardboard, plastic bags, styrene, domestic garbage, second hand containers; and/or
- excessive second hand timber or second hand building material; and/or
- discarded, rejected, surplus or abandoned solid or liquid materials; and/or
- graffiti on exterior walls or fences; and/or
- excessive machinery, machinery parts or similar; and/or
- anything being built which is left incomplete and constitutes a detriment to the appearance of the surrounding area; and/or
- excessive dead, diseased or dying vegetation; and/or
- excessively long grass and/or weeds; and/or
- a disused excavation; and/or
- a building or other structure or thing which is a detriment to the appearance or amenity of the surrounding area; and/or
- any other thing making the land visually repugnant but excludes an enclosed building or structure on the land which complies with regulations made under the Building Act 1993 or Planning and Environment Act 1987.
Fire Preparation during COVID Restrictions
All ratepayers of the Greater Shepparton have an obligation to prepare their property in the event of an emergency such as flood or fire. This requirement also applies to all non-residents ratepayers.
In light of current COVID-19 restrictions limiting travel from Melbourne to regional Victoria, all non-resident ratepayers who reside in Melbourne must apply for a letter of support from the Greater Shepparton City Council for the sole purpose of preparing their property for an emergency, using the form below.
For further information, please contact Customer Service on (03) 5832 9700.
To report an unsightly or dangerous property
If you wish to report a property that may be unsightly or dangerous, please contact Council. Community Rangers attend and inspect properties to ensure that properties are maintained in accordance with the Local Law.
Notice to Comply
If you have received a Notice to Comply please ensure that you complete the required works by the specified date. If you are unable to complete the works within the time specified please call the Issuing Officer as soon as possible before the due date.
Failure to comply may result in legal action including a $400 infringement being issued. Council may also authorise for the required works to be undertaken, the cost of which will be forwarded onto the owner.
If you have waste that needs to be disposed of, please dispose of your waste appropriately. See our Waste and Recycling section for more information.