City of Mandurah deputy mayor Darren Lee promises to overturn remote controlled car law

Mr Lee took to a local Facebook page on Sunday to thank ratepayers for voting him in, celebrate the election of new mayor Rhys Williams and share his intentions overturn the local law, an election campaign promise. 

“Rhys Williams was emphatically elected as the Mayor and I am sure he will lead us into an exciting future, that is thought-provoking and prepared to tackle the difficult issues,” he wrote on the post. 

“Now, back to work the first job I intend to do is move a revocation note of the Directions Motion- that is the Model Plans/Cars & Boats [sic] for further consideration and to remove any ambiguity.”

Read more: 

Mr Lee said he was planning to overturn the motion “at the next opportunity on council”. 

Mayor-elect Rhys Williams also spoke against the decision in the lead up to the election, saying that the council’s decision was “disappointing”.

“These public open spaces belong to the public,” Mr Williams wrote on social media. 

“We're always complaining that kids 'need to get away from their screens and go outside to play', and yet here we are, discouraging play behind the guise of risk management.

“This kind of regulation erodes our sense of community spirit, and actively discourages people from getting out and connecting with each other.”

The decision to ban residents from using remote controlled cars, boats and planes on public land without a permit was voted in favour unanimously by City of Mandurah councillors, including Mr Lee, earlier this month.

Under the new regulations, residents would also be required to get council approval before taking any animal other than a dog to public spaces.

Playing golf, shooting arrows and projectiles and carrying guns or rifles that could cause injuries would also require council permission.

According to the local law, residents who breached the regulations could face up to $5000 in fines and a penalty of $500 a day if the offence continues. 

The City of Mandurah spoke in defense of the regulations in October 19, saying that the rules protected residents and reserves from any potential harm. 

They also said the City was following an “education before enforcement” approach, investigating remote controlled vehicles only when a complaint had been made.

The City of Mandurah’s next council meeting will be held on Tuesday this week.