- Bees are vital to our environment, helping pollinate plants and sustain our ecosystem. This page provides guidance on understanding bee behaviour, reporting bee issues, and the regulations surrounding beekeeping.
Swarming is a natural process that allows honey bees to reproduce and establish new colonies. Swarms typically occur during spring and other warm periods when a large number of bees leave an existing hive with their queen in search of a new home.
When bees swarm, they often gather in a cluster on a tree, fence, or other structure while scout bees search for a suitable location. Although a swarm may appear alarming, it is generally harmless if left undisturbed and will usually move on once a new nesting site has been found.
If you encounter a bee swarm:
- Do not disturb the bees or attempt to remove the swarm yourself.
- Avoid actions that may provoke the swarm, such as hosing it, throwing objects at it, or using smoke.
- Keep children and pets well away from the area.
- Stay clear of the swarm's immediate vicinity.
- Wear appropriate footwear when outdoors to help prevent bee stings.
If the swarm is causing a safety concern or is located on Council-managed land, contact the City for assistance.
Australia is home to around 2,000 native bee species, including more than 800 found only in Western Australia. These important pollinators help maintain healthy ecosystems by supporting the reproduction of native plants.
European Honeybees, introduced to Australia for agriculture, can compete with native bees and other wildlife for food and nesting sites. In bushland areas, unmanaged honeybee hives may also occupy tree hollows used by native animals such as black cockatoos, bats, possums and ducks.
Although honeybees play an important role in crop pollination, they can become a public safety concern if hives are disturbed. In bushland reserves, the City manages feral European Honeybee hives to protect native biodiversity and community safety. Where practical, hives are relocated; otherwise, they may be treated by qualified personnel while minimising impacts on native habitat.
If there's a beehive on private property, it's the responsibility of the owner or tenant. However, there is a process to report and handle beehives located on council-managed land.
Reporting hives on council-owned land
If you encounter a beehive on council-managed land, contact the City’s Parks Services team at 08 9411 3444 or email [email protected].
Complaints about bees on private property
Bees and beehives must not be kept in a manner that causes a nuisance to neighbours or the community. Property owners and occupiers are responsible for ensuring bees do not create a nuisance.
Try to raise your concern with the property owner first. If the problem persists, you can make a complaint to the City by completing the Submit a Request Form. Attach an accurate record of events to your request.
If the issue continues, you can submit a request to the City with details of the problem and an accurate record of events. The City will assess the matter and determine whether the keeping of bees is causing a nuisance under the Local Law.
Your complaint will be assessed according to the nature of the problem, how often it has occurred, and the views of other people affected.
If the City is satisfied that bees are likely to endanger public safety or create a serious public nuisance, it may require the owner or occupier to remove the bees
Keeping bees can be a rewarding hobby and plays an important role in pollination. However, beekeepers are responsible for ensuring their bees are managed safely and do not impact neighbouring properties.
Approval to keep beehives
Owners or occupiers of premises located in a residential, resource, rural or rural living zone may keep up to two beehives without a permit.
If you wish to keep more than two beehives, a permit from the City may be required.
For more information about approval to keep beehives, call the City’s Health Services (contact details below).
Beekeeping guidelines
Owners or occupiers who keep bees or beehives must:
- Be a registered beekeeper, unless exempt under applicable legislation.
- Keep bees and beehives in accordance with the Western Australian Apiarists' Society Best-Practice Guidelines for Urban Beekeepers.
- Provide a good and sufficient water supply that is readily accessible to the bees.
- Ensure beehives are located at least 5 metres from adjoining dwellings and at least 9 metres from a thoroughfare or public place, unless otherwise approved by the City through a permit.
- Manage bee flight paths so they do not affect adjoining properties.
- Ensure bees and beehives do not cause a nuisance.
For more information about bees and beekeeping contact the City’s Health Services team on 08 9411 3444 or email [email protected].