On 27 June 2023, Council endorsed a range of new By-laws to modernise legislation with plain language, and better reflect residents’ current views and expectations.

Development of the new By-laws began in September 2020 and included two comprehensive community consultations in 2021 and 2022. 

Informed by this feedback, the new By-laws regulate areas including animal management; health and safety; public facilities; public libraries; outdoor advertising, general offences, and Council meetings.

Key additions include:

• an Acknowledgement of Larrakia
• A new By-law allowing City of Darwin to declare an area ‘a special cat control area’ for reasons of biodiversity and protection
• new livestock rules, including limiting the number of roosters and chickens
• stronger penalties for dog attacks and introduction of an additional level of infringement for dog attacks to now include dog attack, serious attack and aggravated attack
• better protection and regulation of public facilities, land and places including the control of vehicles and boats, works and activities undertaken on public land and illegal activities.

City of Darwin plans for the new By-laws to come into effect on 2 October 2023, except for the by-law relating to limits of two roosters and 20 chickens limit per eligible household.

A 12-month transitional arrangement for this by-law would apply, seeing it to come into effect on 2 October 2024.

This transitional period is intended to provide enough time for alternative arrangements for roosters and chickens, and City of Darwin is committed to working with affected residents.

The new By-laws are now required to be notified in the Northern Territory Government Gazette, and published at legislation.nt.gov.au/ prior to the commencement date for the By-laws to become operational.

City of Darwin will provide further information to the public on the introduction of the new By-laws once the required legislative processes have been observed, and closer to the date of effect.