Pet owners and those keeping domestic animals within the Hilltops Council area may be in for a severe shock with a policy titled ‘Draft Hilltops Council Keeping of Domestic Animals Policy’ approved for exhibition for a 28 day period at Hilltop’s Council’s monthly meeting held in Young on Wednesday night. If no submissions are received over that time period the policy will be enacted and will limit home owners to 3 dogs amongst a number of other draconian measures and risk animals of a number of species either being seized, fines handed out or development applications needing to be lodged just to keep ‘man’s best friend.” On top of this, any horses selling in small paddocks or receiving vet care in town who partake in the trotting ot thoroughbred racing industries would also be in breach of the policy. In fact, hundreds of Hilltops residents will be immediately in breach of the policy if it comes in, placing Council in the interesting position of what resources they will have to enforce it.
It was recommended that Council: (a) Approve the Draft Keeping of Domestic Animals Policy be placed on Public Exhibition for 28 Days; and (b) If there are no submissions received adopt the Hilltops Council Keeping of Domestic Animals Policy at the completion of the 28-day exhibition period. According to Council the purpose of the Keeping of Domestic Animals Policy is to provide a balanced approach to the management of animals kept as pets in domestic living within the local government area, and to assist owners of animals in understanding their obligations under the Local Government Act 1993. According to the report the policy will provide a clear and consistent approach to inform the community of the legal restrictions and acceptable standards which apply to keeping certain animals; Provide advice on restrictions and prohibition applied to keeping animals in certain areas with the local government area; Ensure that public and private amenity is not adversely impacted by the keeping of animals; Promote responsible ownership of companion animals; and Investigate complaints about inappropriate animal behaviour. The draft policy will inform the wider community of Council’s responsibilities and regulatory powers concerning the keeping of animals. The policy will provide guidance to Council’s Officers when dealing with both enquiries and complaints and to assist owners of animals in understanding their obligations regarding the keeping of animals in residential areas.
Councillor Matthew Stadtmiller, a Councillor of nearly 11 years experience said, “This is the thin end of the wedge. Once and if they get this in, it puts people’s ability to own a pet or more to the point a few pets of the same species in jeopardy. It’s a Green’s endorsed and backed process from inner city Sydney that has no bearing on what we do in a country area. It unfairly attacks those living in residential or rural residential areas and makes them second class citizens. Kids won’t be able to have a small pony which doesn’t even make any noise unless they have a 5000 square metre block. The minimum lot size in Harden for example is 800 square metres, the average is probably 1000 square metres. Residents need to read this policy and reply with a submission if they see fit. The policy should never have even gone on exhibition as far as i’m concerned. There’s 14 pages of information starting at page 130 going to 144. Animals affected include, Bees, Bird species, Cats, Dogs, Greyhounds, Ferrets, Horses, Donkeys and Cattle. Pet rats, Mice and Guinea Pigs. Poultry including Geese, Turkeys and Ducks. Chickens, Guinea Fowl and Bantams, Peafowl and Pheasants. Rabbits, Sheep and Goats. Each has a different number you can have. With Council staring down the barrel of what will likely be close to another loss one as high as approximately $4 million, I can’t see why the focus is on man’s best friend and other animals when the budget is in a mess. Residents will no doubt have to endure a rate rise soon, something I will not vote for under an amalgamated Council.”
Council states “It is well documented that the keeping of companion animals and/or pet animals can be beneficial to the well-being of people. However, complaints are made to Council where animals of an inappropriate species or number are being kept or where the animals and their accommodation are not being cared for and maintained properly. Council also receives noise related complaints regarding animals kept in residential areas in particular barking dogs and roosters crowing.”
“The draft policy also informs the community of the reasonable limits (both statutory and advisory), which apply concerning the maximum number of animals and the circumstances under which they may be kept on premises. The policy applies to the keeping of animals for domestic purposes as companion pets or for hobby interests.”
“The draft policy does not apply to broad scale rural activities or the keeping of animals for commercial purposes. However, where it is intended to keep animals for any other commercial purpose, it may be necessary for a Development Application be submitted to Council. Consent to the operation of animal establishments may not be allowed where Council considers that the proposal would be detrimental to the amenity of the locality. Council Officers will take enforcement action when a complaint is made and an investigation shows that the reason for the complaint is, in part, caused by the number of animals on the property is the cause or contributes significantly to the nuisance reported and as such an Order can be issued under the Local Government Act 1993.Council Officers will also consider any proven record of responsible animal ownership before taking enforcement action.”
It is proposed that a fee of $125.00 would apply to any request from the public for a variation to the Keeping of Domestic Animals Policy to undertake the assessment and inspection process on site. The proposed fee will be addressed through a separate public exhibition process.
The policy includes limiting Bee Hives to 2 in residential areas and 5 in rural residential areas. All locations, Birds including canaries, budgerigars, quails, finches and parrots must be limited to 50 or owners must be members of official Aviculture Societies.
Cats are to be limited to 4 and a litter of kittens up to 6 months old in all locations. Man’s best friend are also in the spotlight and includes dogs over the age of 6 months, with 3 allowed on residential areas and rural residential areas.
Greyhounds are being targeted with a limit of 5 excluding offspring to 3 months of age which may mean hobbyists will come under Council attention. However, the policy lists them again with just 2 allowed in residential areas and 4 in rural residential areas with a long list of conditions.
Ferrets pop up with 2 allowed in all locations.
Larger animals such as horses, donkeys and cattle also come under the microscope as do pigs, poultry, geese, turkeys, sheep, goats and ducks. Rabbits will be limited to 2 of the same sex in residential areas.
Chooks will be limited to 10 and Roosters strictly prohibited. If the policy is approved, there will be a 28 day submission for residents to respond.
Residents of Snowy Valleys Council which was also forcibly merged at the same time Hilltops was are up in arms over their Council’s proposed policy. A change.org petition has attracted over 1,270 signatures opposing the policy. It states, “Everyone in the community that has animals that includes pets and livestock on their property will be affected by the implementation of this new policy with risks of fines or they may be forced to give up those animals by any means to comply with the policy. The new policy appears to be drafted from an inner city suburban council policy and is not inline with the rural community values and way of life. We as a community need to stand up and protect the freedoms and way of life that we love and are privileged to hold by living in a rural area. We need to protect the animals that will be outlawed.”
