Published on Wednesday, 21 August 2024 at 2:58:00 PM

Five of Vincent’s largest parks will be prohibited to cats as part of the new Animal Amendment Local Law 2023 for the first time.

The local law provides for the management, control and regulation of the keeping of dogs, cats, poultry, bees and other animals.

It was adopted by Council in October 2023, gazetted in November 2023. It will come into effect this year.

As part of the local law, Vincent introduced cat prohibited areas including Britannia Road Reserve, Smiths Lake Reserve, Robertson Park, Banks Reserve and Hyde Park.

This means that cats cannot go into bushland, parkland, wetlands and vegetation areas and the back of residential and industrial properties within the parks’ boundaries.

“The cat prohibited areas will not only keep our local cats safe from health and safety risks, but also protect our local flora, fauna and environment,” said Mayor Alison Xamon.

“Cats are perfectly happy to stay at home and do not need to roam freely in major parks and reserves. 

“In fact, cat welfare organisations like the Cat Haven plead for owners to ensure cats are not roaming around our suburbs.

“We will be communicating more about these areas in the coming months to give cat owners more clarity.”

Under the State Government’s Cat Act 2011, local governments have the power to enact their own local laws and are responsible for enforcing the Act.

Vincent’s current local law includes clauses relating to the keeping of cats, prohibited areas and the number of cats per premises.

“As a local government, we do need the power to determine our own laws for our area,” said Ms Xamon.

“It is frustrating that we can only include clauses identified in the Cat Act but anything beyond those, we need further State Government approval.

“In terms of talks of a uniform State local law for cats, there would need to be further changes to the Cat Act itself and it needs to address local community concerns.”

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