Have your say on smoking ban in Ringwood and Croydon town squares

Council is seeking community feedback on proposed changes to the Local Law which could see smoking banned in Ringwood Town Square and the future Croydon Town Square.

At its meeting on Monday 27 August 2018, Council resolved to seek community feedback on proposed changes to its current Local Law (Local Law No.11), which is now open for public comment.

Under the proposed Local Law No.14, which would amend Local Law No.11, smoking would be banned within Ringwood Town Square and the future Croydon Town Square.

Mayor of Maroondah, Cr Nora Lamont, said that under the proposed changes, Council would have the power to prohibit smoking in other places in Maroondah not already stipulated under Victorian state-wide smoking bans.

“In the absence of state-wide legislation, local councils have the power to legislate in their own jurisdictions, including prohibiting smoking in certain public places to protect the health and safety of its residents,” Cr Lamont said.

“Council has an opportunity to lead the way and deliver an important health message through the introduction of a Local Law that would ban smoking in Ringwood Town Square and Croydon Town Square. If the community deems other public places could be included, Council could introduce future bans to protect the public’s health,” she said.

Since 1 August 2017, under the Tobacco Act 1987, smoking has been banned in all outdoor dining areas, including food premises, food fairs and community events.

In response to strong community support for these changes, Council undertook further consultation to gauge support for introducing a smoking ban in Ringwood Town Square and the future Croydon Town Square.

Community consultation undertaken in late 2017, (with 1596 responses) showed over 90 per cent of respondents supported Ringwood Town Square becoming smoke free.

Consultation carried out in 2018, (with 700 responses) revealed 86.3 per cent of respondents surveyed were in favour of Croydon Town Square being smoke free.

“In order to enforce these bans, Council has drafted a proposed change to Local Law No.11, which includes designating Ringwood Town Square and the future Croydon Town Square as smoke-free areas. Now it is up to the community to tell us whether or not they support the amendment,” Cr Lamont said.

“It is important that any changes that are enforced capture the voices and vision of the local community, so we encourage residents and stakeholders to take the time to tell us what they think by completing our online submission form, or by writing to us before the closing date of 5 October 2018,” she said.

Anyone is welcome to make a written submission on the proposed changes to the Local Law.

Submissions must be received by 5pm on Friday 5 October 2018 and can be submitted one of the following ways: