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Media Release
23 February 2009
Responsible pet ownership promoted through new Domestic Animal Management Plan
Yarra City Council has adopted a new Domestic Animal Management Strategy and Plan, People and Their Pets, developed in consultation with the community to provide a framework for managing the needs of pet owners, non pet owners and all open space users.
In recognition of Yarra’s growing dog population and the need to balance the needs of dog owners with other open space users, the Strategy and Plan outlines several new rules for dogs within parks and reserves.
Ten additional off-lead areas will become available for dog owners, including Quarries Park and Hall Reserve (Clifton Hill), Loys Paddock (Burnley) and Fairfield Reserve.
Council will introduce time scheduling in some parks that are currently designated off-lead, requiring dogs to stay on-lead during busy periods to minimise disruption to other park users, while enabling residents to walk their dogs off-lead at quieter times. These include Alphington Park, Gahan Reserve (Abbotsford) and McConchie Reserve (Burnley).
Multi zoning will be introduced in Kevin Bartlett Reserve, where an area of the park will be designated off-lead, and a fenced off-lead area will be added in Curtain Square (North Carlton). The off-lead zones in Darling and Edinburgh Gardens will be moved to more appropriate locations within these parks.
Changes to rules around recreation areas mean shared pathways, and the space five metres around them, will become on-lead areas while unfenced sporting grounds will become off-lead areas when not being used for any approved game or event. Additional controls around playgrounds will also be introduced, with ‘dogs prohibited’ buffer areas required immediately outside of playgrounds.
Council’s Local Law will be amended to enable the new rules to come into force on 1 May 2009. Comprehensive park signage will be in place and detailed community information will be available by this date.
The Strategy and Plan, which is reviewed by Council annually, also seeks to manage the increasing number of nuisance, feral or stray cats in the municipality. In line with views of animal welfare peak bodies, Council will introduce mandatory de-sexing for all newly registered cats from 1 March 2010 unless exempt for breeding purposes or due to veterinary advice.
Mayor of Yarra City Council, Cr Amanda Stone, said she was pleased that the new Domestic Animal Management Strategy and Plan promoted animal welfare, responsible pet ownership and balanced the needs of all open space users.
“People and Their Pets provides guidelines to ensure people enjoy their pets while also acting as responsible pet owners. It also ensures our parks and open spaces are effectively managed for the whole community,” she said.
“As a pet owner I appreciate the benefits companion animals bring, but I also understand the importance of responsible pet-ownership for both the welfare of our animals and the amenity of the local community.
“Council will be developing signage and other information to provide clarity on the new rules – and Council’s powers of enforcement – which will help the community to understand and respect them.
“I’m particularly pleased Council has been able to find the right solution for all users of Curtain Square, including its thriving possum community, through the introduction of a fenced off-lead area, and am confident this will protect the popularity of this much-loved park,” Cr Stone added.
Further information
For media enquiries about this issue, please contact:
Ainslie Gowan
Coordinator Communications and Public Relations
Richmond Town Hall
333 Bridge Road Richmond
Telephone 9205 5177, 0400 933 700
Email ainslie.gowan@yarracity.vic.gov.au
Links
Within this site
Yarra City Council
Domestic Animal Management Strategy and Plan
Media releases 2006
Special Council Meeting on 28 January 2009
External sites (Yarra City Council accepts no responsibility for the information or opinions contained within external sites)
Victoria Online
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