City of Swan Tightens Rules on Public Space Activities and Trading with New Local Law
The City of Swan has officially enacted the City of Swan Activities in Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law 2026 on August 5, 2026, introducing a comprehensive framework to regulate a wide array of activities and trading occurrences on public land within its jurisdiction.
What happened
On August 5, 2026, the City of Swan gazetted the City of Swan Activities in Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law 2026. This new local law is designed to provide clear guidelines and controls for how public spaces, including thoroughfares and other local government-managed areas, can be used for various activities and commercial trading. The move aims to standardise practices and ensure public amenity.
What this means for you
If you are a business, event organiser, or community group operating within the City of Swan, you will need to familiarise yourself with the new regulations. This could impact how you plan and execute events, set up temporary stalls, or conduct any trading activities on public land. Expect potential changes in application processes, permit requirements, and restrictions on where and when certain activities can take place. Residents concerned with public space usage will also see a more structured approach to these matters.
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What this means for WA
This enactment signals a trend among local governments in Western Australia to take a more proactive stance in managing public spaces. Similar to how the City of Canning addressed short-term rentals or the City of Wanneroo shifted its rating basis, the City of Swan is asserting greater control over its local environment. This local law could set a precedent for other WA councils looking to enhance their regulatory oversight of public land use and commercial activities.
The numbers
On August 5, 2026, the City of Swan gazetted the City of Swan Activities in Thoroughfares and Public Places and Trading Local Law 2026, marking a significant shift in public space management. This new law directly addresses the regulation of activities and trading on local government property. This follows a pattern of local governance adjustments, such as the City of Swan's amendment to its planning scheme to delete exempted development categories, detailed in a previous GovScanner story. The council also previously determined the basis of rates using Gross Rental Value, as reported in the Gazette, indicating a broader approach to local regulation.
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