Pet owners have been urged to familiarise themselves with a comprehensive Wildlife Protection Area (WPA) Policy aimed at safeguarding native wildlife and enhancing biodiversity in the Georges River local government area.
Georges River Mayor Sam Elmir encouraged cat and dog owners to familiarise themselves with the Policy, which prohibits roaming cats from 19 areas declared as Category 2 Wildlife Protection Areas and requires dogs to be on a leash and only permitted on formed tracks, pathways, or roads.
The Policy enables Council to collect roaming cats and off-leash dogs in the 19 designated areas for the protection of native wildlife.
“By proactively managing roaming cats and off-leash dogs, Council aims to foster a sustainable balance between pet ownership and the protection of our local ecosystems,” Mayor Elmir said.
“Our Wildlife Protection Area Policy underscores Council’s commitment to environmental conservation and our community’s dedication to preserving the rich biodiversity of Georges River. It’s a crucial step towards securing a sustainable future for native species in Georges River.
“Georges River Council is calling on the community to familiarise themselves with these rules. Let’s work together to make a significant impact on the preservation of our natural environment.”
On 27 November 2023, Georges River Council endorsed a report outlining the costs to implement the Wildlife Protection Area Policy, which was adopted on 2 August 2022 after extensive community consultation.
“With this Policy, we want to strike a balance between responsible pet ownership and the protection of our native wildlife,” Mayor Elmir said.
The 19 parks and reserves declared as category 2 Wildlife Protection Areas include:
Bald Face Point Reserve.
Carss Bush Park.
Cedar Street Reserve (including Cedar Street Reserve South) and Moons Avenue Reserve.
Clarendon Road Reserve and Ogilvy Street Reserve (North and South).
Gannons Park and Heinrick Reserve.
H.V. Evatt Park, Evatt Park Foreshore and Banksia Place Reserve.
Kyle Williams Reserve.
Moore Reserve.
Myles Dunphy Reserve and Meyer Reserve.
Neverfail Bay Reserve.
Oatley Park, Lime Kiln Bay Reserve and Oatley Heights Park.
Oatley Pleasure Grounds.
Oatley Point Reserve.
Peakhurst Foreshore Reserve, Jinna Road Reserve and Hurstville Golf Course (southern vegetated portion only).
Poulton Park, Redin Place Reserve and Hurstville Quarry Reserve (North and South).
Ray Street Reserve.
Riverwood Park, Lillian Road Reserve and Basil Street Reserve.
Shipwrights Bay Reserve.
Yarran Road Reserve.
With approximately 23,000 registered cats in the Georges River Local Government Area, it is important that cat owners understand their responsibilities under the Wildlife Protection Area Policy and how they can help protect our native wildlife.
Cats pose a significant threat to native wildlife and are recognised by NSW Local Land Services as one of the primary causes of the decline and extinction of native Australian species.
The Wildlife Protection Areas Policy is available in full on Council’s website, with maps of each of the 19 designated Wildlife Protection Areas.
