Fishing at 17 lakes, wetlands and reserves in the City of Stirling is now officially banned after community concerns over harm to local wildlife.

Last week, Stirling councillors formally approved and adopted amendments to the city’s local government property local law, introducing the new fishing restrictions across 25 areas within 17 locations, alongside other local law changes.

The new laws mean anyone caught fishing at prohibited sites such as Lake Gwelup, Herdsman Lake, Carine Regional Open Space, Jackadder Lake and Mettams Pool Beach could now face a $125 fine.

Other locations affected by the ban include Roselea Lake, Princeton Lake, Talia Lakes, Stirling Civic Gardens, Dog Swamp Reserve and Careniup Wetland.

The restrictions also apply to Potenza Reserve, Shearwater Spoonbill Reserve, Cedric Grebe Reserve, Dianella Regional Open Space, Yokine Regional Open Space and Lilac Shannon Reserve.

Councillors began progressing changes to the local law last November after concerns were raised about black swan injuries around Roselea and Princeton lakes and reports of antisocial behaviour, before the proposed fishing ban was expanded to cover additional lakes, wetlands and reserves across the city.

During the November meeting, where councillors expanded the proposed changes beyond the original locations put forward by Cr Teresa Olow, mayor Mark Irwin labelled the debate a “mess” and said councillors were creating a “shopping list” rather than a local law.

Despite the mayor’s concerns, an amended local law was progressed and released for community consultation early this year, where it received 80 per cent support from 500 submissions.

“The consultation responses indicated strong support for the proposed amendments to the property local law, primarily driven by concerns about harm to wildlife resulting from fishing activities on local government property,” city officers said in a report to council last week.

“Respondents consistently identify wetlands as environmentally sensitive areas where activities should be restricted through determinations under the local law to protect biodiversity.

“There was also a clear view that existing provisions are not being effectively complied with, particularly in relation to behaviour on local government property and protection of wildlife, due to limited enforcement.”

The city indicated that responses from those who opposed the proposed amendments raised concerns that a blanket ban on fishing within local government property was a disproportionate response to the actions of a small minority.

“They consider that most fishers are compliant, and that restricting the activity would unfairly impact responsible users while failing to address underlying behavioural issue,” city officers said.

The recommendation to make the amended local law was adopted unanimously by council after being passed by exception resolution.

However, Mr Irwin had voted against the recommendation at the committee meeting the previous week, making him the only elected member to do so among the eight.

The city had previously encouraged residents and visitors to avoid fishing in urban wetlands to protect wildlife and wetland health but was unable to enforce a ban on the activity at most locations.

Fishing at some inland wetlands in Perth is popular due to the presence of species such as invasive koi carp.

Among the other local government property law changes introduced by the city in the amendments are new rules banning the use of e-cigarettes in areas where smoking is prohibited.

Anyone caught using a vape or smoking within 5m of any entrance, exit or opening of premises on local government property could be fined $125.

Using a camera device to take images or recordings of any person in a City of Stirling toilet or change room without consent is now also strictly prohibited.