Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question about our services, the answer may already be available in our FAQs.
If you can’t find the information you are looking for please contact the Council on 9932 1000 or email customerservice@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.
Animals and Pets
I have a new cat or dog. How do I register it?
All cats and dogs must be registered at three months or older. To register, fill in the Domestic Animal Registration Form.
Find out more about the cost of registering a cat or dog.
How do I cancel my cat or dog registration?
If you need to cancel your cat or dog registration please contact the Council on 9932 1000.
How do I pay my dog or cat registration fee?
You can include your credit card details on the cat and dog registration form or you can pay by cash, cheque or eftpos at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre. Find out more about the cost of registering a cat or dog.
I’ve found a stray dog/cat. What should I do with it?
To report a stray cat or dog please contact the Council on 9932 1000 or email customerservice@hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au.
A dog in my street barks all the time. Can I report it?
To find out how to report a barking dog please see the Barking Dogs web page.
Find out more about keeping pets and animals in Hobsons Bay.
Families and Children
How do I enrol my child in kindergarten?
Children are eligible for four-year-old kindergarten as long as they turn four before 30th April in the year they attend.
You are encouraged to apply for four-year-old kindergarten once your child turns two. Placement will be made according to the date of application. If your preferred kindergarten is full, you will be offered a place at one of your other choices.
Find out more about kindergartens in Hobsons Bay or call the Kindergarten Access Officer on 9932 1000.
Find out more about services for families and children.
Libraries
How do I join a Hobsons Bay library?
It’s free to join Hobsons Bay’s libraries. Proof of address is required and if you are under 18 you will also need a parent’s or guardian’s signature.
You can sign up at any branch. Find out more about joining Hobsons Bay libraries.
Where are the library branches?
Hobsons Bay has five libraries – Altona, Altona Meadows, Altona North, Newport and Williamstown.
Find out more about branch opening times.
What services are available at Hobsons Bay's libraries?
Libraries provide free access to books, magazines, audio-visual material and the internet. There is also a large collection of materials available in other languages.
Other facilities include:
- Word processing;
- Photocopying;
- Conference rooms;
- Internet training;
- Children’s storytelling; and
- School holiday programs.
Find out more about services at Hobsons Bay's libraries.
What can I do on a library computer?
The computers provide access to Microsoft Office e.g. Word, Excel etc., the internet and email. Printing facilities are also available.
What library services can I access via the internet?
You can:
- Access the library catalogue;
- Reserve and renew items;
- Request to buy an item; and
- Book a computer.
Find out more about the library services you can access online.
Older People
I am having trouble carrying out household chores. Can I arrange for any assistance to help with this?
Home care provides practical housekeeping support for eligible people who are unable to complete their housework.
An assessment is required for this service and can be arranged by contacting the Council on 9932 1000.
Routine cleaning can include:
- Vacuuming;
- Mopping Floors;
- Cleaning bathrooms/showers;
- Laundry;
- Shopping; and
- Making the beds.
This service does not extend to spring/industrial cleaning.
Find out more about services for older people.
Parking Permits
How do I get a ticket machine parking permit?
The Council issues free permits to all Hobsons Bay residents. This allows residents to park free in the ticket machine areas along Nelson Place and the Esplanade, Williamstown, however time limits still apply.
Fill in the ticket machine parking permit application form and send it back with your documentation via mail: PO Box 21, Altona, 3018 or via fax: 9932 1039.
How do I apply for a disabled person’s parking permit?
Download and complete the disabled parking permit application form with your doctor and send it back via mail: PO Box 21, Altona, 3018.
The Council will assess the application based on criteria set by VicRoads to determine which category permit you are eligible for.
Planning and Building
How do I make a planning application?
Your planning application must include:
- A completed application form;
- Payment of the statutory planning fee;
- Three copies of your development plans and elevations. These must be fully dimensioned and drawn to scale;
- One copy of the Certificate of Title for the property; and
- A covering letter or report explaining your proposal.
An application that is incomplete will take longer to process. More information is available in the preparing and lodging a planning application fact sheet.
For more information about planning matters, have a look at the planning fact sheets.
Rates
How do I get an additional copy of my rates notice?
You can collect a copy of your annual rates notice from the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre or a copy can be posted to you.
A copy can also be faxed to your financial institution - an administration fee of $20 applies.
How do I change the mailing address for my rates notice?
You can have your rates notice sent to any address of your choice. If you want to have your notice sent to a different address to the property address, you will need to put this in writing.
You can also complete a change of address form. Hard copies are available from the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre.
I'm having difficulty paying my rates. Can I arrange a payment plan?
If you are having trouble paying your rates please speak to a rates officer as soon as possible on 9932 1000. You can submit a payment plan in writing or fill in an payment plan agreement form, available from the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre.
Am I eligible for a rates concession?
If you have a pension concession card or Department of Veteran Affairs card specifying war widow or totally and permentatly incapacitated (TPI), you are eligible for a concession.
If the concession does not appear on your annual valuation rates notice, please contact the Council on 9932 1000.
Health care card holders are not eligibile for this concession.
Find out more about rates.
Rubbish and Recycling
When is my rubbish collected?
Rubbish is collected every week and recycling and green waste are collected alternate fortnights. Search the map to find your rubbish and recycling collection dates.
How do I report a missed rubbish collection?
Please report missed rubbish collections to the Council on 9932 1000 or fill in the service request form selecting ‘missed collection’ from the drop down menu.
How many hard waste collections am I entitled to per year?
Residents are entitled to one free hard waste collection per property per financial year.
How do I book a hard waste collection?
To book a hard waste please call the Council on 9932 1000.
What hard waste items will be collected?
- Intact household furniture;
- Appliances, airconditioners and white goods – please remove fridge and freezer doors;
- Mattresses and bed bases;
- Small amounts of timber – bundled and tied and less than 1.5metres long. Fencing timber will not be collected;
- Pottery, ceramics and china;
- Waste metal e.g. tins, scrap iron, steel, roof guttering less than 1.5m long;
- Small metal car parts that weigh less than 20kg;
- Metal tanks and empty drums with a maximum diameter of 40cm. Gas bottles will not be collected;
- Hot water units;
- Glass, mirrors and windscreens securely wrapped and labelled 'glass';
- Tools and equipment; and
- Toys.
I’m moving into a new home. How do I arrange to get rubbish bins?
Please contact the Council on 9932 1000 and give details of your moving in date so that bins can be delivered. Bins will not be delivered to unoccupied properties.
How do I get an additional rubbish bin?
An additional 120 litre rubbish bin is available for $137.80 per year. Ratepayers must agree to the additional service to the property. To order an additional rubbish bin, please contact the Council on 9932 1000 or download the additional bin request form.
Find out more about waste and recycling.
Trees
A tree near my house is overgrown. Can the Council prune it?
All street trees in Hobsons Bay are inspected and pruned to a standard specification on a two year cycle. Unless the tree is dangerous it will be pruned as part of that program.
A tree near my house is dead. Can the Council arrange to have it removed?
Report the dead tree to the Council on 9932 1000. An inspection will be arranged and if the dead tree is not dangerous, it will be scheduled for removal in the Council's maintenance program.
Can I get a street tree planted outside my house?
If there is a space to plant a tree please call the Council on 9932 1000 and your request can be placed on the future planting list. The Council aims to plant approximately 1,400 trees each year but not all requests can be fulfilled.
Can I get a street tree removed?
Street trees will only be removed if they are dead, dying, dangerous, inappropriate, present a health hazard or if the area is required for agreed development.
A street tree has recently been planted outside my property. Do I need to water it?
No. All trees planted by the Council will be maintained for two summers after planting including weekly watering, maintenance of mulch and stakes and formative pruning.