Bend of Islands

The Bend of Islands is a unique area within the municipal district of Nillumbik Shire Council. The ecology of the area is dominated with distinct understory vegetation of grasses, woody shrubs, orchids, vines and herbs. There is over one hundred (100 plus) species of birds including two threatened species being the powerful and baring owls. The object of the local law is to prohibit the keeping of domestic pets including dogs and cats and domestic livestock within the area of Bend of Islands to protect and preserve the unique ecology of the area.

a) An owner or occupier of land must not keep a dog or cat on the land.

b) A person must not:

i. bring on land;

ii. have in their possession on land –

a dog or cat.

c) An owner or occupier of land must not keep any domestic pet or livestock on the land.

d) A person must not:

i. bring on land;

ii. have in their possession on land –

any domestic pet or livestock.

e) For the purposes of paragraph a), a permit may be granted for the keeping of an assistance animal.

f) for the purposes of this clause, a permit may be granted for the keeping of a dog, cat, domestic pet or livestock currently lawfully being kept on the land. Such permits may be granted annually until such time as the dog, cat, domestic pet or livestock ceases to reside on the property or dies.

For the purposes of this clause, the following definitions apply:

‘Bend of Islands’ means the area hatched on the attached plan and includes all land with the Special Use Zone Schedule 1 and Special Use Zone Schedule 2.

‘domestic pet’ includes goats, horses, donkeys and dingoes.

‘land’ means any land that is within or partly within the boundary of Bend of Islands or within the area defined by the Special Use Zone Schedule 1 (and/or 2) as shown in the map to this clause.

‘livestock’ includes a cow, horse, pig, donkey, alpaca, llama and an animal of any species used in connection with primary production or kept for recreational purposes other than a dog or cat.

‘assistance animal’ has the same meaning as the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

‘Special Use Zone Schedule 1’ means land located within the Special Use Zone Schedule 1 under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme.

‘Special Use Zone Schedule 2’ means land located within the Special Use Zone Schedule 2 under the Nillumbik Planning Scheme.