Mount Gambier/ Berrin community members have been invited to have their say on the City of Mount Gambier’s draft Dog and Cat Management Plan 2024 – 2028.
The plan was developed with feedback from a community consultation process earlier in the year.
Council’s general manager corporate and regulatory services Jane Fetherstonhaugh said consultation found issues within the city included cat management, dog faeces, dogs being off leash, dog park maintenance and aggressive behaviour.
“We’ve addressed these issues in the draft plan and invite the community to provide further feedback before it is finalised and presented to the Dog and Cat Management Board for approval,” she said.
Ms Fetherstonhaugh said the draft plan outlined the continued education around cat desexing and microchipping.
“For cat management, that includes continuing to promote the requirement for mandatory desexing and microchipping and investigate the implementation of subsidised, low cost desexing and microchipping initiatives,” she said.
“It also outlines the determination of future directions for cat management in the council area, including a cat by-law, subject to impending legislative changes during the life of the plan.”
She said the draft plan outlined an education program which would be launched in regards to faeces management.
“To encourage dog faeces management council plans to develop an education campaign with a focus on ‘picking up after dogs and disposing correctly’ in public spaces,” she said.
She said they would also encourage the community to report to council if dogs rushed at them or their animals, with the aim of preventing future acts of harassment or attack, and would schedule patrols to focus on peak times of animal-related activity.
The draft plan would also see a review of off leash areas around the Blue Lake Sport Park and explore the opportunity for additional fenced dog park.
“Due to ongoing issues with people not picking up after their dogs, council plans to work with leaseholders at Blue Lake Sports Park to make the sporting precincts off limits to dogs,” she said.
“Instead, we plan to create designated off leash areas and a separate dog park on the site for pet owners.
“In addition, council plans to capture requirements for dog facilities as part of master planning for Hastings Cunningham Reserve, in consultation with users.”
Ms Fetherstonhaugh encouraged dog and cat owners to share images with council to be included within the final draft of the plan.
“Your pet must either be registered with the City of Mount Gambier or be utilising council facilities within the photo to be included,” she said.
“Photos can include the owner, or just the pet.
“We look forward to seeing your photos.”
Feedback must be provided by Wednesday, December 20, and can be submitted via a survey at www.haveyoursaymountgambier.com.au
