The City of Cockburn is encouraging responsible dog and cat ownership throughout its suburbs by inviting public comment on its proposed Animal Management and Exercise Plan.
Local residents have until 26 August to provide feedback to the City.
A survey is available at
Comment on Cockburn and residents can also attend listening posts and pop up info sessions in the community to learn more about the plan and even participate in a live question and answer session on the City’s Facebook page during August.
“The plan aims to guide local dog and cat owners toward more responsible pet ownership so these domesticated pets can safely live in harmony with each other, owners and non-owners while reducing harm to the City’s significant local fauna and conservation areas,” City of Cockburn Rangers and Community Safety Manager Michael Emery said.
“The plan also aims to provide sufficient safe spaces for dogs, people and wildlife with proposed changes to dog access along the City’s coast.”
Following a Council-endorsed proposal to be sent out for public feedback, residents can comment now on changing and increasing dog access along Woodman Point Beach from on-leash to off-leash.
The draft also proposes to trial off-leash areas at Beeliar Reserve, Aubin Grove Reserve, Colorado Park, Santich Park and Goodchild Park, when organised sports are not being played.
A new traffic-light signage system is proposed throughout the City, clearly indicating the location of dog prohibited areas (red), on-leash areas (yellow) and off-leash areas (green).
Residents are also asked to comment on proposals for the possible future establishment of enclosed dogs parks at Macfaull Park in Spearwood and Radonich Park in Beeliar.
City of Cockburn Environment Manager Chris Beaton said one objective of the plan was to better manage stray, feral and domestic cats.
“While dog registrations in the City continue to increase, the registration of cats as required under the Cat Act 2011, is declining,” Mr Beaton said.
The City proposes to enact amended Cat Management Laws outside those required by the Cat Act 2011. This timeframe would enable a smooth transition in the community while providing adequate time for laws to pass through relevant agencies.
These local laws could include prohibiting cats from regional parks, conservation and bushland areas inhabited by vulnerable fauna, and ultimately cats needing to be retained within their owners’ property at all time, similar to requirements for dog owners under the Dog Act 1976.
The City will lobby the State Government, with the assistance of the WA Local Government Association, to have the Cat Act 2011 amended to allow the City to implement proposed Cat Management Laws, ensuring state wide consistency.
A range of initiatives are proposed to help the City and its residents achieve animal management objectives including subsidised dog and cat microchipping, smart traps and GPS tagging of cat traps in conservation reserves, geo-fenced areas with Radio-Frequency Identification readers to tag animals entering prohibited areas, solar-powered sensor lights for dog owners using enclosed dog parks at night, and dog-wash stations at dog parks and C. Y. O’Connor Beach.
Have your say:
- Online - Complete the survey at comment.cockburn.wa.gov.au
- In person - Attend a listening post 8.30am-5pm Saturday, 15 August Cockburn Gateway Shopping City (near Australia Post); pop up info sessions on 11, 12 or 16 August (visit Comment on Cockburn for more info)
- Facebook live - From 5.30pm Thursday 13 August 2020 via the City’s Facebook page
- In writing - Post letters to City of Cockburn, Recreation Services, PO Box 1215, Bibra lake DC WA 6965 or email Comment on Cockburn.
Did you know:
- In 2019, it was estimated that 61 per cent of dogs and 17 per cent of cats were registered in the City of Cockburn
- In 2019, it was estimated that 21,579 dogs and 17,735 cats live in the City
- The 2024, it is forecast that 24,296 dogs and 19,968 cats will live in the City.
Comment on Cockburn is where you can have your say on a range of projects and important issues in your City. Visit comment.cockburn.wa.gov.au to get involved with decision-making in your neighbourhood.