Bees

Bees play an important role in the balance of nature. They work hard to pollinate plants – agricultural, horticultural and garden - and they make honey. They also have a nasty sting and need to be managed correctly to avoid creating a nuisance on adjoining properties.

If you own one or more hives, you must be a registered beekeeper with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) under the Apiaries Act 1982. You must also

• be a member of a recognised beekeeper's association that has an approved code of practice for the keeping of bees or,
• obtain a permit from the City of Gold Coast.

On the spot fines of $375 apply for failing to keep bees without the appropriate permit.

Beekeepers must also ensure they meet the minimum standards for keeping bees;

• the bees are kept without nuisance
• any beehive is not located within a radius of 10m of;
  • a residence on adjoining premises
  • a place used for the manufacture, preparation or storage of food intended for human consumption other than a domestic kitchen used solely for domestic purposes by the keeper of the bees
  • a place used for the storage of food (other than food kept in hermetically sealed packages)
• the bees are kept in accordance with the requirements of the approved code of practice
• each beehive is adequately identified so that the keeper's name, address and telephone number are readily ascertainable.

If these minimum standards are not met, on the spot fines of $75 apply.

One of the primary limitations to the keeping of bees is the real or perceived interaction between the bee and people who live in or use the surrounding area. DAFF hive density restrictions are in place to minimise any potential conflict;

Property size	Number of hives
Up to 400m2	Nil
400 – 1000m2	Two
1000 – 2000m2	Five
2000 – 4000m2	10
Greater than 4000m2	Call DAFF for advice

Bee hives must be set up and managed so they do not interfere with the community.

• Set up hives in a quiet part of the property and away from neighbouring properties, roads, footpaths and parks.
• Face hive entrances across your property or, consider barriers, such as hedges, shrubs or shade cloth fixed to a trellis.
• Manage bee colonies to prevent or minimise swarming. Beekeepers must take responsibility for a swarm and capture it as soon as it has formed into a cluster.

For further information please contact the City's Animal Management branch on 07 5581 6664 or the DAFF on 13 25 23.