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Beekeeping -Bring on the bees (please)

You may be aware that honeybees play a significant role in the balance of nature, especially the pollination of agricultural crops, plants in home gardens and nectar gathering. However, there may be a few things you did not know about beekeeping:

  1. To keep one or more hives within Victoria, beekeepers are required to be registered with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
  2. If the Apiary Code of Practice requirements are complied with, beekeeping can be established on land in Victoria without a planning permit.
  3. In addition to complying with the apiary management practices of the code, the consent from the owner of the land is required to carry out beekeeping.
  4. If beekeeping is to be carried out on public land, consent is required from the relevant government agency or manager responsible for that land.
  5. Existing use provisions apply where land has a history of lawful apiary. That is, nothing in a planning scheme or an amendment can prevent the continuance of beekeeping which has been lawfully established (provided the land owner consents).
  6. A planning permit from Council should be sought to undertake beekeeping, if the code requirements are not met.
  7. Enforcement of planning controls usually only occurs if there is a clear observance of a breach by a planning or enforcement officer from Council.
  8. It is a natural instinct of honeybees to swarm and it occurs chiefly in spring to early summer. Swarming can be minimised or prevented through artificial swarming. Such swarming can be created by reducing the colony of bees by dividing them into two or more units. This reduces bees’ impulse to swarm.
  9. In urban areas, including Residential Zones, Industrial Zones, Business Zones and Special Use Zones, hive density limits are set to minimise the risk of conflict between people and honeybees.
    10. A bee proof barrier (trees, hedge, fence, building etc) must be assembled if a bee flight-path interferes with the use of neighbouring land.

In addition to the ‘Apiary Code of Conduct’ which states the requirements for beekeeping, ‘Beekeeping’ is a textbook that provide information on appropriate management techniques. The Apiary Code of Conduct can be found at www.dse.vic.gov.au

Created: 19 November 2008
Last Update: 19 November 2008