Mandurah's remote control toy ban has been scrapped

Wednesday, 29 November 2017 08:51

By Kathy Koutzas

A controversial ban on remote control toys in City of Mandurah parks is no more with last night's Council meeting deciding to remove the confusing clause.

Under the local law adopted earlier this year, playing with remote control cars, boats and planes in public parks and reserves without a permit could cost you between $300 and $5,000.

But Mandurah Councillor Darren Lee said that clause has been withdrawn as it wasn't clear and needed some explanation.

"Although at the time the City was satisfied that the laws would be implemented on a complaints only basis, the community has expressed its view that point 4 was unnecessarily bureaucratic.

"Should the need arise for the City to manage the use of airborne or other devices there are alternative, although less prescriptive sections of the local laws that may be able to be applied relating to nuisance, damage to reserves or safety.

"This revocation has now deleted the ambiguity of the determinations, and provided a sense of relief for those operating remote control vehicles as long as it is done responsibly."

The City of Mandurah had defending last month's decision saying the law was created not only to protect people in public spaces from safety hazards, noise and nuisances, but also to protect parks and reserves from potential damage.

“These hazards and nuisances can sometimes arise given the popularity of many local reserves and also their environmental values

“This local law simply provides a mechanism for the City to take action at times where a breach is occurring."

But Councillor Lee said people don't need to worry now about having a permit or having a ranger approach them, provided they're not being a nuisance.