Hundreds of residents chanted angrily and yelled at councillors during a council meeting on Tuesday night in protest of new local laws.
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Hepburn Shire councillors voted to approve the new General Local Law No. 2, despite more than 100 residents raising concerns.
It was standing room only at the Daylesford Town Hall during the meeting, with many residents holding signs and others taking a seat on the floor.
Eight residents questioned council on the Local Law during public participation time, while another three addressed council stating their concerns about the laws.
Resident Jen Bray addressed the council and provided community recommendations for changes to remove 'ambiguity' and ensure the laws were in line with the shire's values.
She called for the council to remove the word bicycle from a clause restricting the use of bicycles and wheeled toy vehicles on busy sections of road in Daylesford and to change the boundaries of the restricted area to exclude the area around the school, where many children ride their scooters.
HAVE YOUR SAY AT THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY
Ms Bray also recommended council change the definition of busking to collecting money and remove the term 'without collecting money', saying it was ridiculous singing on the street would require a permit.
She said the community also wanted an appeals process included in the document.
Resident David Hall addressed council about his concern for people living homeless in the shire and questioned how difficult it would be for people living in caravans and camping to receive a permit under the new law.
"I ask the council to be sympathetic to those whose only option is a caravan or camping to live in this town," he said.
During questions from councillors, council officers said not all permits under the law would require an application fee.
Hepburn Shire Council received almost 120 submissions on the draft local law during a 10 month consultation process and said it had taken into account all concerns and made some changes.
Councillor Kate Redwood AM made a motion to amend the Local Law relating to the use of bicycles and wheeled toy vehicles in Daylesford town centre, changing the restricted area to Vincent Street between Albert Street and Central Springs Road.
The motion included creating a formalised appeals process relevant to Local Law No. 2.
"We look forward to working with the community to progress the way Local Law No.2 is implemented," Cr Redwood said.
"We are trying to achieve a continuity of the Local Law in place for the last 10 years but to also update it ensuring the rights of all are respected."
Cr Newitt said Local Law No.2 had garnered the most interest he had seen during his past eight years on council.
"There is still a disconnect with the community," he said.
"They don't want laws that restrict existing and long established practices."
Cr Newitt voted against the endorsement of Local Law No.2, saying he wanted the wording to be clarified, plans for scavenging at transfer stations in place and further amendments to the bicycled and wheeled toy vehicle restrictions before it was approved.
"We are very close but I think the document still has issues with the wording," he said.
"I don't think it is ready yet to go for it, I want to defer it and spend some more time on it."
ALSO AT THE MEETING: Council knocks back proposal for huge housing development
Cr Robson also voted against the local law, agreeing the wording in some clauses was not appropriate.
"I don't feel I can vote for it at this point in time," she said.
Cr Licia Kokocinski, Cr Don Henderson, Cr John Cottrell, Cr Redwood and Cr Greg May voted to endorse Local Law No. 2, forming a majority to endorse the document.
Residents held up signs including 'listen to the people' and 'salvage your credibility, pass our amendments' and yelled at councillors after the local law was passed.
The loud protesting continued throughout the meeting, making it difficult to hear the remainder of proceedings.
Some yelled in anger, '10 years of these laws' and called for the councillors to resign.
Hepburn Shire Council chief executive officer Evan King said council would work with the community to determine conditions required for permits and to support scavenging at transfer stations in a safe way.
Local laws last for 10 years. Hepburn Shire's previous local law ceased in November 2019.
There has been no enforcement of any local laws since November.
Local Law No. 2 can be viewed on the Hepburn Shire Council website.