Fraser Coast Animal Management Strategy

Feedback from the survey and submissions have been collated and are now being considered in the review of the draft strategy.

A finalised strategy is expected to be presented to Council for adoption in September or October 2022.

Have your say on draft animal management strategy

Fraser Coast residents are being urged to have their say on a draft Council domestic animal management strategy.

Deputy Mayor Paul Truscott said the draft strategy, which was created after consultation with the community, covered a range of issues including responsible pet ownership education, registration requirements, enforcement of local and state laws, and the operation of Council’s pounds and adoption centre.

“As the Fraser Coast grows and evolves, so too does the diversity of our lifestyles and the way we engage with pets in our daily lives,” Councillor Truscott said.

“We recognise that people have different experiences, connections and views about pets and are all impacted by them in different ways. Some people prefer the ability to enjoy public places that are completely pet free whereas others enjoy a pet friendly lifestyle.

“That’s why Council consulted with the community extensively last year to develop a draft domestic animal management strategy and why we are now going out to the community again to seek their feedback on the draft strategy which has been updated to include their feedback.

“I encourage Fraser Coast residents to log on to Council’s Engagement Hub website - https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/animal-management - to read the draft strategy and have your say.”

Cr Truscott said Council provided a variety of animal management services, with rangers investigating thousands of reports every year about dog attacks, barking dogs and wandering animals.

“We also house impounded animals in dedicated facilities and carry out responsible pet care programs to encourage registration, microchipping and desexing,” he said.

Under the strategy, Council proposes developing a responsible pet ownership education program to ensure residents are aware of the requirements for keeping animals.

The program could include community events and subsidised microchipping events for cats and dogs.

“This new animal management strategy will provide a framework for how we deliver animal management services over the next decade and help us balance community expectations with the available financial resources,” Cr Truscott said.

Feedback closes on Tuesday, 21 June 2022.

More than 570 surveys were submitted in total to the Domestic Animal Management Strategy Engagement Hub project over a period of one month to 12 December 2021.

A broad cross-section of our community submitted the survey, with the largest portion from people aged 55-74 years (57%).

The data collected from the survey will be analysed and provided to Community Rangers and Animal Facilities within the Councils’ Regulatory team to draft the new Domestic Animal Management Strategy for the Fraser Coast, within the constraints of the Animal Management (Cats & Dogs) Act 2008 and Council’s Local Laws.

The draft will be made available for public consultation in February-March 2022. Thankyou to everyone who participated.

Help shape Council’s animal management strategy

Responses to dog attacks, the location of dog off-leash areas, responsible pet ownership education and animal management facility operating hours are among the issues being considered in the development of a Fraser Coast Regional Council domestic animal management strategy.

Cr Paul Truscott said Fraser Coast residents were being encouraged to provide their input and feedback in to the development of the region’s first comprehensive domestic animal management strategy.

“Council provides a range of animal management services for the community, with rangers investigating thousands of reports every year about dog attacks, barking dogs and wandering animals,” he said.

“We also house impounded animals in dedicated facilities and carry out responsible pet care programs to encourage registration, microchipping and desexing.

“This new strategy will provide a framework for how we deliver animal management services over the next decade and help us balance community expectations with the available financial resources.

“Residents are encouraged to have their say over the next four weeks to help Council understand what is important in a domestic animal management strategy and what level of services they want.”

A dedicated animal management strategy page has been established on Council’s Engagement Hub website – https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/projects/project_detail/MzkzNQ - with a short online survey, which is open from today (Friday 12 November 2021) through to 12 December 2021.

Council officers will also be at local markets (and shopping centres) over the next four weeks gathering feedback, while information stands will be set up at Council’s Customer Service Centres and libraries.

Cr Truscott said the strategy would help Council achieve the purposes of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 and local laws, with the document to be reviewed annually.

“This initial community engagement will help Council develop a draft strategy, which will then go out to public comment in early 2022 before it is finalised and adopted,” he said.

“I encourage everyone who is interested in domestic animal management on the Fraser Coast to make sure their voice is heard by completing the survey over the next four weeks.”