The community is reminded to have their say on proposed new cat containment areas in the ACT, with only days remaining to provide feedback, Minster for Transport and Municipal Services Meegan Fitzharris said today.
“On Friday 12 February our consultation will close for the community to provide feedback on the ACT Government’s proposal to make the Gungahlin suburb of Casey and the land adjacent to the Jerrabomberra Wetlands Nature Reserve, including Kingston Foreshore and the Causeway, cat containment areas,” Minister Fitzharris said.
“Community feedback was invited in early December 2015 and so far more than 160 surveys have been received. It would be great to receive more feedback from the community by the end of this week. The online survey is quick and only takes a couple of minutes to fill in.”
Minister Fitzharris said following feedback from the community, the ACT Government will make a final decision about the commencement date for cat containment in both areas, and the extent of the cat containment in areas adjacent to Jerrabomberra Wetlands.
“I visited the Jerrabomberra Wetlands on Sunday for their community open day, and it is a beautiful area and one of the most valuable wetland habitat areas in the ACT. Casey’s close proximity to the Kinlyside Nature Reserve means that native wildlife is at risk of predation by roaming cats.
“The benefits of cat containment in areas near our reserves and wetlands are not only felt by our native wildlife. Results of a 2011 ACT survey indicated cats that are contained live longer and are less likely to suffer diseases or sustain injuries.
“Under the Domestic Animals Act 2000, an area can be declared a cat containment area where cats pose a serious threat to native wildlife. There are currently 12 cat containment areas in the ACT. These include Bonner, Coombs, Crace, Denman Prospect, Forde, Jacka (from 1 January 2017), Lawson, Molonglo, Moncrieff, Throsby, Wright and ‘The Fair’ at Watson.
“Homes within cat containment areas are required to keep their cats confined to their premises at all times. This can be done by keeping cats indoors or providing a purpose built enclosure that will give shelter as well as access to the outdoors.
“We very much welcome feedback from residents in the proposed cat containment areas. The survey is available online at www.timetotalk.act.gov.au and consultation closes on Friday 12 February 2016.”
For more information about cat containment in the ACT visit www.tams.act.gov.au
If you need a cat containment solution call Mr Petman.
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