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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2004 Week 05 Hansard (Friday, 14 May 2004) . . Page.. 2016 ..

The Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo nature reserves contain outstanding ecological and conservation values and a great diversity of native wildlife. Of particular concern are the small populations of two resident bird species, namely, the hooded robin and the brown tree creeper. These species are threatened. Other woodland birds are also known to be in decline. These nature reserves provide an important refuge for woodland species generally and they warrant a high level of protection. Introducing measures to keep cats away from these woodlands habitats will reduce the impacts from urban encroachment.

However, this initiative should not just be seen as a win purely for conservation. The benefits that are afforded to cat owners are also great. The provision of an environment for cats that is safe and secure will have positive outcomes for cat lovers. No longer will residents who choose to own cats in Forde and Bonner have to dread facing the extended absence of their pet with a fear that they’ve been injured or met an unfortunate end. Owners of cats who choose to live in Forde and Bonner will also notice a decrease in the rate of abscesses or other injuries and disease that can occur when their pets are involved in fights with other cats.

There are also benefits to non-cat owners. Problems connected with unwanted animals trespassing—and I’m happy to tell you that’s a major problem I suffer—fouling, fighting and hunting will be managed to a much better degree. This measure should be seen as a win for conservation, a win for cat lovers and a win for everybody who chooses to live in these two suburbs. Presently actions are being undertaken to give effect to the Assembly motion to ensure that cats are permanently confined to premises, either indoors or in outside cat enclosures.

To give statutory effect to the motion, the suburbs of Ford and Bonner and the Mulligans Flat and Goorooyarroo nature reserves will be declared an area where cats must be permanently confined to their keepers’ or carers’ premises. The Domestic Animals Act 2000 provides for such a declaration.

An information package relating to the cat confinement requirements is being prepared, to be issued with the initial land sale documents. A continuing education program will be developed to ensure that the initial residents and all future residents of these suburbs are aware of their responsibilities to permanently confine their cats.

In addition to declaring an area under the Domestic Animals Act 2000, some minor technical amendments will be drafted in relation to the Domestic Animal Regulations to ensure that appropriate penalties will be in place to lend weight and authority to any non-compliance issues.

Other policy matters are being addressed to ensure a comprehensive response to the Assembly motion. These include operational procedures associated with the trapping and holding of wandering cats should there be a need to take action in this area. The Animal Welfare Advisory Committee provides advice to me on matters pertaining to animal welfare. The committee will be revising the requirements relating to cat enclosures within the code of practice for the welfare of cats in the ACT to ensure that appropriate minimum-space requirements are in place for permanently keeping of cats in outdoor enclosures.

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