Council has approved the Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) which will be in place from 2022 to 2026.
The new DAMP has been developed through two phases of community consultation and in line with regulatory and legislative requirements. The plan outlines how Council will manage dogs and cats within its municipal boundaries.
The plan identifies how the council will:
- Support and facilitate the benefits that animal ownership and companionship has on the health and wellbeing of residents
- Educate residents about accepted standards of animal welfare, including the care, feeding and physical wellbeing of domestic animals
- Manage nuisance complaints about animals, which are impacting on other residents
- Ensure that the keeping of domestic animals does not compromise accepted standards of public health and safety
Mandi Stewart, Manager Community Services & Safety, notes that the plan is in place to ensure that the ownership of dogs and cats in the municipality is managed to ensure the best outcomes for pet owners, general members of the community and the animals themselves.
“Our team at council will continue to work with the community to encourage responsible pet ownership and to reduce the number of stray and unwanted animals. It’s a great outcome when a lost animal is picked up for the first time, if it’s already microchipped and registered with Council, the owner can be contacted and it can be returned home without needing to go to the pound,” she said.
Ms Stewart also thanked the members of the Domestic Animal Management Advisory Committee for their assistance in the review and creation of the new plan.
Council is required to produce a Domestic Animal Management Plan every four years in accordance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
To view the new Domestic Animal Management Plan, people can visit the Council website
