Services » Ranger Services » Regulations
Council's Rangers are responsible for the enforcement and administration of a number of statutes and local laws. The administration of these statutes and our local laws includes investigating complaints, providing public education and awareness and issue of infringement notices or instigation of prosecutions for non-compliance for offences and breaches.
The best means of preventing breaches and offences is to provide sound, accurate and easy to understand information. There are a number of pamphlets and information notes covering dogs, livestock, off road vehicles and other matters which are dealt with by Ranger Services. Rangers visit local schools to inform students of the various issues relating to Local Government law enforcement and the role of Rangers in the community.
For the safety and general well being of the community, Council's Rangers administer a number of Statutes being the Local Government Act 1995, Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Dog Act and Regulations, Litter Act, Bushfires Act and Regulations and Control of Vehicles (Off Road Areas) Act. Copies of these Statutes are available from the State Law Publisher. In addition, Council provides a number of Local Laws which are administered by the Rangers being Councils Local Laws relating to Livestock, Dogs, Kennels and Catteries, Unsightly Lands and Parking Facilities. These Local Laws are available for viewing on this website under Council / Local Laws & Policies.
Rangers attend to straying dogs and stock and impound if necessary, liaise with rural landowners regarding stock security, liaise with local vets and the Dept of Agriculture, City of Armadale Rangers, Animal Welfare Groups and provide public education and advice on responsible pet and stock ownership and management.
Animal welfare and wildlife issues are not within the authority of Councils Rangers. For assistance please call the RSPCA on 9209 9300 (animal welfare), CALM on 9334 0333 (general wildlife enquires) or Wildcare on 9474 9055 (sick and injured wildlife).
There are significant problems within the shire relating to the illegal use of Off Road Vehicles (ORVs), mainly motor cycles. The control of ORVs is an important issue, aimed at ensuring public safety and preventing environmental degradation.
Rangers, WA Police, the Deptartment of Environment & Conservation and the Water Corporation are working closely to reduce this problem. It is requested that the public inform either the Rangers or Local Police of any details or the identity of offenders if known.
There are no ORV areas within the Serpentine Jarrahdale Shire. It is important to note that most public areas within the shire, including rail reserves and drinking water catchment areas are “Prohibited Areas” where the use of ORVs will generally result in the vehicle being seized and detained for a period not less than 3 months and up to 12 months for re offenders.
Pocket motor bikes (vehicles under 50cc) are classed as a vehicle under the Road Traffic Act and as such must conform to the Act. They are not allowed to be ridden on a footpath or roadway unless registered. They may be ridden on private property with the consent of the owner.
Motorised skateboards and scooters are likewise classed as a vehicle and must also conform to the Road Traffic Act. They are not allowed to be ridden on a footpath or be ridden on a roadway unless registered. As it is unlikely either of these vehicle types will meet registration standards it is recommended you report them when seen.
If ORVs are on public property such as a reserve, bridle path or any public open space, contact the Shire Rangers on 9526 1136 who will send a ranger out to investigate, or if the vehicle is on a footpath or roadway contact the Police on 131 444.
It is important to note that it is not the responsibility of Local Government or any other Authority to provide facilities for the use of ORVs. It is the responsibility of ORV operators and the parents of persons under 16 years of age to ensure that prior to the purchase of these machines that suitable land has been identified where the vehicle can be used legally.
It is also important to note that the use of ORVs is an inherently dangerous and high risk activity and often occurs in remote and difficult terrain, there has been a large number of deaths and serious injuries resulting from the use of ORVs.
Drink driving, reckless and dangerous driving offences are offences which can occur in ‘areas to which the public have access whether on payment of fee or not’. Therefore if ORV drivers or riders, drive or ride an off road vehicle recklessly in a park or any public place they can still be charged with reckless driving and suffer a loss of license penalty.
Uncontrolled, illegal camping damages and pollutes the environment and creates the additional risk of wild fires starting in remote or inaccessible areas.
The problem of illegal dumping of rubbish and materials is an increasing problem within the Shire. Rangers Services rely on the community to assist in identifying offenders. Rangers check for illegal dumping of rubbish during regular patrols and vehicles and trailers en-route to waste disposal sites and the escarpment are targeted for insecure loads or illegal dumping activities.
Rangers liaise with the Keep Australia Beautiful Council (KABC) and other local and regional authorities to identify offenders and work to raise awareness regarding litter control and the correct disposal of rubbish.
Abandoned vehicles are an ever-increasing problem and are frequently left in situations that create dangerous hazards for motorists. Prompt removal is often required and Rangers work closely with local Police to ensure this is carried out. They trace and contact vehicle owners whenever possible and arrange towing and/or impounding and disposal of abandoned vehicles.
Unlawful parking practices cause considerable inconvenience and in some cases create dangerous situations. Rangers have an important role to play in reducing these risks. Although the issuing of Parking Infringement Notices is obviously not a popular task, the fact remains that it is sometimes the only way of ensuring compliance with the restrictions. A high priority is the regular patrolling of special parking bays set aside for disabled persons which tend to be misused by able-bodied drivers.
The issue of dividing fencelines, encroaching roots and overhanging or obstructing branches are addressed by the provisions of the Dividing Fences Act 1961. Actions and processes relating to these issues require a common law action to be undertaken by the landholder. Brochures briefly detailing processes is available from Council's Administration Centre.