Bees

Shire of Murray approval is required to keep bees. Beekeepers must also register with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD).

Restrictions

  • Two hives per lot. More may be approved if requested in your application. 
  • Bees must an adequate and permanent supply of water.
  • Hives must be kept outside and at least 10m from any building, footpath, street or public place, and at least 5m from lot boundary.
  • Hives must be enclosed on all sides by a fence wall or other enclosure. This encourages bees to fly at a height over the property boundary.
  • Bees must not be a nuisance to other residents.

Fines apply for not following these restrictions. 

Nuisance bees

For issues with bees on a neighbouring property, you can Report a nuisance. 

The Western Australian Apiarists' Society can help if there are swarms or feral hives on your property, or see our Pest and feral animals page

 

Birds

Poultry, pigeons and other birds must be kept in accordance with our Health Local Law.

Poultry - residential

Roosters, geese, turkeys, peafowls and gamebirds cannot be kept in a townsite or on a property 4ha or smaller.

Approval is not required to keep 12 or less roosters, geese, turkeys, peafowls and gamebirds on larger properties.

Properties within a townsite and/or smaller than 4ha

Up to 12 chickens can be kept, providing they are:

  • Not a nuisance to other residents.
  • Kept in a clean, properly constructed and securely fastened structure or enclosure, which is in a yard with an unobstructed area of at least 30sqm.
  • Kept at least 15m away from a street, house, public building or premises where people are employed and/or food is stored, prepared, manufactured and/or sold.

Properties larger than 4ha and outside of a townsite

Up to 12 poultry can be kept – including fowls, peafowls, turkeys, geese, ducks, chickens, bantams and other domestic fowls – if:

  • They do not cause a nuisance to other residents.
  • Are kept in a clean, properly constructed and securely fastened structure or enclosure, which is located in an unobstructed area of at least 30m2
  • Do not encroach within 15m from a street, house, public building or premises where people are employed and/or food is stored, prepared, manufactured and/or sold.

Poultry – commercial

Commercial poultry businesses, such as broilers, breeders or egg producing farms, must manage operations in accordance with the Environmental Code of Practice for Poultry Farms in Western Australia 2004.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has more information on the Regulation of poultry production.

Pigeons

Properties both within and outside of a townsite can keep up to 12 pigeons on one lot of land, if:

  • They do not cause a nuisance to other residents.
  • Do not approach within 15m from a street, house, public building or premises where people are employed and/or food is stored, prepared, manufactured and/or sold.
  • Except where homing pigeons are freed for exercise, pigeons must be kept in a properly constructed pigeon loft in a yard with an unobstructed area of at least 30sqm.

Other Birds

You can keep up to 20 birds, not including pigeons or poultry.

Apply to Keep More Birds

Contact us

Report a nuisance

Noise complaint

Odour complaint 

Other complaint