Abandoned Vehicles

Vehicles, which are abandoned or dumped, can be removed and impounded by the Environmental Health Department. Residents who suspect a vehicle is dumped or abandoned are requested to contact the Council on (07) 4982 8348 during office hours.

Airborne Matter

Residents that experience health or nuisance problems from dust, chemical odour or airborne particulates (from fires) are requested to contact the following departments.

Animal Control

[Dog Registration] [Dog Pound] [Barking Dogs] [Dog Attacks] [Cat Identification] [Pawprints] [Wandering Dogs & Cats] [Poultry]

Barking Dogs

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalised new nuisance laws that took effect from 1st December 1999.

Under the new laws, residents will no longer have to put up with the nuisance and disturbance caused by barking dogs.  Emerald Shire Council is responsible for administering complaints about noise from animals on residential property.

Hours of operation:

Burning Off

Incinerating or the burning of materials, refuse, leaves etc (not including barbecues) is no only inconsiderate and unfair to neighbours, but is also illegal under Council's Local Laws.  Residents who are burning or incinerating waste are reminded  that the Transfer Station facility is open seven (7) days a week from 7am to 6pm and is capable of receiving all household and garden waste.

Cat Identification

Cats over six (6) months of age are required under the Local Law to have an approved form of identification.  Approved identification can consist of either a microchip implant or a collar and tag with the owner's name, address and phone number.  This will enable any impounded cat to be returned to its owner.

Construction Hours

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalised new nuisance laws that took effect from 1st December 1999.

Power Tools - general

Many people use power tools (including mowers and leaf blowers) around their homes and businesses to maintain, fix or construct  things.  The new provisions do not prevent people from using these tools but limits the impact the noise from these tools can have on neighbours.  General building work activity around the home, where the builder is not required to hold a licence or an owner builder permit, must also comply wit the following conditions.

Hours of operation:

Building works - general

Noise from building sites can disturb many residents and often results in complaints.  This section of the new laws applies to builders, sub-contractors and other professions engaged to work for or on behalf of a builder.

Hours of operation:

Dog Attacks

Emerald Shire Council view dog attacks seriously, with harsh conditions/penalties being placed on owners of the culprit dog. If you are bitten, attacked or put in fear by a dog while on public land, it is requested that you contact the Environmental Health Department on (07) 4982 8348. As a subsequent part of Council's investigation of a dog attack, it will be necessary that you complete and submit to Council a statement providing information relating to the incident.

Dog Pound

The Animal Control Office is on duty during normal working hours.  The dog pound is open on weekdays from 4:30pm - 5:30pm.  Enquiries relating to lost or impounded animals outside the pound hours should be directed to the Environmental Health Department by emailing aco@emerald.qld.gov.au or telephoning (07) 4982 8348.

Dog Registration

Dogs over six (3) months of age are required to be registered with the Council. Dog owners who currently have their dog/s registered with the Council are sent a reminder prior to the 30th June each year to renew their registration. A discount fee is available to dog owners who renew their dog/s registration by the 31st of July.

For registration fees click here or ring Council's Environmental Health Department on (07) 4982 8348 during office hours.

Domestic Birds 

Poultry

The keeping of poultry in Emerald is permitted under Local Law but requires approval from the Environmental Services Department and is subject to various conditions. Where fowl houses or coups are to be constructed, it is necessary to ensure they are located at least one and a half (1.5) metres from all property boundaries and at least six (6) metres form any adjacent house. Prior to construction, approval maybe required from the Building Department. Details of these rules maybe obtained from the Building Departments.  Details of these rules maybe obtained from contacting the Animal Control Officer.

Roosters

Due to noise roosters generate, the keeping of roosters in a residential area is not permitted under Council's Local Law.

Environmental Protection

Various small businesses, which carry out certain activities, are required to be licensed under the Environmental Protection Act.  Such licenses cover air, water and noise pollution and waste management practices.  Council's Environmental Health Department manages the licensing of these businesses on behalf of the Environmental Protection Agency.  For further information, contact Council's Environmental Health Department during office hours. 

Flammable and Combustible Liquids

the Council licenses all premises involved with the storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids.  This includes flammable and combustible liquids that are stored on residential properties as well as commercial premises.  For further information contact Council's  Environmental Health Department during office hours.

Fluoride Tablets

Fluoride aids in the formation of healthy teeth and in prevention of tooth decay.  Council supplies Fluoride Tablets free of charge to Emerald Shire Residents.  Fluorides drops are available for children under the age of 2 years.

Food Premises

For fee details click here.

All food premises in Emerald Shire are required by law to have a current Council licence. If you believe that food or drinks purchased from a food premises are contaminated or unwholesome or that you may have experienced food poisoning then contact the Environmental Health Officer immediately on (07) 4982 8348.

Footpaths - Mowing

As it is nt practical for Council to mow each footpath, Council relies on the civic pride of its residents to keep the footpaths neat and tidy.  Council undertakes mowing for vermin control, drainage maintenance, traffic visibility and general tidiness considerations.

Garbage Collection

See also Waste Collection.  

Emerald Transfer Station - Click here to view the Emerald Refuse Transfer Station's brochure.  This file is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat installed to view the brochure.

Illegal Dumping

Dumping of liquid or soil waste in a location other than an approved waste disposal facility is illegal under the Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulation 2000.  If you witness persons disposing of waste illegally, please contact the Environmental Health Department and if possible, provide a description of the vehicle, persons and registration plates.

Immunisation

Council does not provide an Immunisation service. Please contact Emerald Hospital or your local doctor for information.

Litter

Littering is an offence under the Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Regulation 2000. ‘ On the Spot’ fines of $150 will be given to those people caught littering.

Mosquito Control

Council monitors the level of mosquito breeding in our area and co-ordinates appropriate control procedures where necessary. Mosquitoes breed in water, so you should ensure stagnant water is not left lying around in any containers that could collect water.

Noise Problems

One of Council’s responsibilities is the investigation of alleged excessive noise problems from residential premises. These may involve the use of domestic machinery, power tools etc

Noisy parties, vehicles on roads, music etc are matters for the police.

Please see Construction Hours for further information.

Overgrown Allotments

Overgrown and untidy allotments may encourage vermin harbourage and become fire hazards. For these reasons, owners of overgrown allotments can be issued a notice by Council to clean up/remove materials or clear undergrowth.

Residents concerned with neighbours overgrown allotments can contact the Environmental Health Department on (07) 4982 8348 during office hours.

Parks and Reserves

Council recently introduced a Local Law to preserve the quality and safety of public parks and reserves. Please be aware that some activities are not permitted where it is likely that equipment or vegetation may become damaged or vandalised. This includes camping, fires, golf, horse riding, motorbikes, unauthorised vehicles and unleashed animals.

Pawprints

Click here to view Emerald Shire Council's annual edition of Pawprints.  This file is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer to view the brochure.

Recycling

Click here to view the Emerald Refuse Transfer Station's brochure.  This file is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer to view the brochure.

Sprinkler Ban

Emerald Shire Council imposes a water sprinkling ban from midnight Sunday to midnight Monday. During this time the use of sprinklers, sprinkler systems, micro systems and the like are not permitted, however watering by hand is permitted.

The ban is enforced to enable Council's Water Treatment Plant to increase the amount of treated water after each weekend when large quantities of water are traditionally used.

During summer, Emerald Shire Council may adjust the sprinkler ban to ensure high water usage does not occur. Residents are notified of these days by radio and through the local newspaper - Central Queensland News.

Vector Control

Council’s Environmental Health Department monitors and controls pests such as flies, rats, and mosquitoes. Should you find that you have a problem with any of these disease carrying pests please call the Environmental Health Department on (07) 4982 8348 during office hours. Council hands out limited amounts of rat poison so please contact Council if you have a problem with rats.

Wandering Dogs and Cats

Dogs and cats are required under Local Law to be on a leash while in a public place (including Botanic Gardens and Fairbairn Dam). Emerald Shire Council can impound dogs and cats that are not leashed and/or are wandering.  The Environmental Health Department has a number of officers who conduct regular dog impounding patrols during and outside work hours.

Waste Collection

Emerald Transfer Station 

Click here to view the Emerald Refuse Transfer Station's brochure.  This file is in PDF format and requires Adobe Acrobat installed to view the brochure.

Landfill

Council provides a landfill site located approximately 15 kilometers out of Emerald on Lochlees Road. The landfill is closed to the general public, but is open for the dumping of industrial or bulky waste. A tipping fee of $11 per cubic meter applies to the disposal of general waste. Individual fees apply to contaminated or regulated waste. The landfill is open from 8.30am to 12pm and 1pm to 5pm every weekday (excluding public holidays).

Residential Wheelie Bins

Council provides a weekly wheelie bin collection service to Anakie, Comet and Emerald. It is a requirement that wheelie bins be placed on the footpath the night before the day of service and in a location unobstructed by trees, vehicles or the like. In addition, wheelie bins must be positioned so that the handles are closest to your property. Residents are requested not to overfill the bins, place heavy objects/materials in them or place damaged bins out for service. In these situations, Council’s refuse contractor may not service the bin.

If your wheelie bin is not serviced, please contact the Environmental Health Department on (07) 4982 8348.

Water - Monitoring

Council carries out regular water quality monitoring of the reticulated water supply. If you have any concerns with your water supply, please contact Council’s Environmental Health Department.

Council does not sample private water sources, but please phone if you would like information on where to have your water sampled.

Additional information can be obtained by contacting the following:-