What’s Happening?
Redland City residents are being invited to have their say on proposed changes to local animal management laws, including rules for keeping hens, miniature goats and honeybees.
Redland City Council opened community consultation on 26 October 2026, seeking feedback on proposals that could also expand dog-friendly areas across the city and its islands.
The proposed changes follow a review of four local laws covering animal management.
Acting Mayor Julie Talty said the review aimed to ensure local rules remained practical and reflected community expectations.
“Local residents love their pets and animals so it is important to ensure the rules governing the management and keeping of animals are both practical and reflective of community expectations,” Cr Talty said.
Why It Matters
The proposals could change how residents keep animals at home and where they can exercise their dogs.
For households interested in keeping hens, Council is considering whether to reduce the minimum property size requirement and review the number of hens permitted.
Meanwhile, proposed rules for miniature goats could allow residents with smaller properties to keep them under specific conditions.
Council is also considering new limits for honeybee hives based on property size.
Currently, local laws do not regulate honeybee keeping, which has sometimes led to disagreements between neighbours.
Local Impact
Dog owners could also benefit from changes to several public spaces across Redland City.
Council proposes allowing dogs on lead at Laurie Burns Recreation Reserve on Coochiemudlo Island, where dog walking is currently prohibited.
Other proposals would permit on-leash dog walking in selected foreshore and seashore areas of the island.
At Bay Street in Redland Bay, Council is considering changing the foreshore from an on-leash to an off-leash dog area.
Additionally, Council plans to investigate potential new off-leash areas at Nicholas Street on Russell Island, the western end of Karragarra Island and the south-west foreshore near the Macleay Island jetty.
By The Numbers
- 400 m²: Proposed minimum property size for keeping hens, down from the current 500 m² requirement.
- 2 miniature goats: Maximum number proposed for eligible properties.
- 1,500 m²: Proposed minimum property size for keeping miniature goats, including at least 1,000 m² of cleared land suitable for grazing.
Zoom In
The proposed changes aim to balance residents’ interests with responsible animal management.
For hens, Council is asking whether smaller properties should qualify and whether the number permitted should also decrease.
For honeybees, the proposed approach would introduce hive limits based on property size. It would also include requirements designed to minimise impacts on neighbouring properties.
Cr Talty said the changes would help clarify the rules while giving residents more opportunities to exercise their dogs.
“The proposed changes to the animal management local laws aim to provide clarity and consistency in relation to the keeping of hens, miniature goats and honeybees, while providing more places for people to exercise their dogs responsibly.”
Zoom Out
The consultation forms part of Council’s ongoing review of local laws.
Alongside the proposed animal management changes, Council is considering administrative updates to remove provisions already covered by Queensland legislation.
These updates would eliminate duplication with the state’s Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008.
However, Council stressed that removing duplicated provisions would not remove the underlying rules.
The review covers four existing local and subordinate laws relating to animal management, animal registration in public places and animal keeping.
What To Look For Next?
Community consultation closes on 22 November 2026.
Residents can review the proposals and submit feedback through Council’s Your Say consultation page.
Council will have the opportunity to consider community feedback before deciding whether to proceed with the proposed changes.
For now, the proposals remain under consultation, and existing animal management rules continue to apply.
