Unhealthy and unsafe properties

Unhealthy and unsafe properties
Photo of overgrown tree in front of residential property
Read about the factors that cause both vacant and occupied properties to be unhealthy or unsafe. Unhealthy & unsafe properties Read about the factors that cause both vacant and occupied properties to be unhealthy or unsafe.  
Photo of overgrown tree in front of residential property

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​​​​​​​​​Both vacant and occupied properties with overgrown vegetation, an accumulation of materials or swimming pools with stagnant water can pose a health, safety and environmental hazard to the community.

Overgrown land

Overgrown properties are one of the most common issues reported to Council, especially during the spring and summer months. Overgrown properties are a concern as they can potentially harbour vermin, create a neighbourhood nuisance and in some cases, pose as a fire danger.

Council encourages residents to try to solve the problem amicably by talking to the property owner, occupier or managing agent if known. Often people are unaware that their lack of property maintenance is causing a problem.

If you lodge a customer request with Council, an officer will inspect the property to determine whether a property is considered significantly overgrown and poses a threat to public health and safety. If the property is considered to be unsafe or unhealthy, Council will direct the occupier of the land and/or land owner to remove the overgrown vegetation, under the Local Government Act 1993. Penalties may be imposed upon those who fail to comply with an Order from Council. ​

Accumulated materials

Accumulated materials stored on a property can potentially harbour vermin, create a neighbourhood nuisance and in some cases, pose as a fire danger. The materials, if left unsecured, can potenti​ally enter our stormwater drains and pollute our City's waterways.

Council encourages residents to try to solve the problem amicably by talking to the property owner, occupier or managing agent if known. Often people are unaware that their lack of property maintenance is causing a problem.

If you lodge a customer request with Council, an officer will inspect the property to determine whether a property poses a threat to public health and safety due to the accumulation of materials. If the property is considered to be unsafe or unhealthy, Council will direct the occupier of the land and/or land owner to remove the accumulated materials, under the Local Government Act 1993. Penalties may be imposed upon those who fail to comply with an Order from Council. ​

Stagnant swimming pools

Swimming pools that are not regularly filtered and chlorinated can produce putrid odours and breed mosquitos, which are known to spread disease.

Council encourages residents to try to solve the problem amicably by talking to the property owner, occupier or managing agent if known. Often people are unaware that their lack of swimming pool maintenance is causing a problem.

If you lodge a customer request with Council, an Officer will inspect the property to determine whether the pool water is posing a risk to public health and safety. If the water quality is significantly stagnant, Council will direct the occupier and/or owner to drain the pool or filter/chlorinate the pool water, under the Local Government Act 1993. Penalties may be imposed upon those who fail to comply with an Order from Council.​

Contact

If you would like Council to investigate an unsafe and or unhealthy premises, or for further information, contact  Council's Environmental Health and Compliance Unit on 9707 9000. ​