Plan to shape Geelong’s policy about pets

THE City of Greater Geelong is calling on the community to have their say on the development of the Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP).

All community members are encouraged to participate regardless of if they own a pet or not with walkers, park lovers, runners and wildlife conservationists alike all playing a role in the plans development.

The DAMP aims to balance the needs of groups who use public spaces with responsible pet ownership and the environment and is a government-legislated document that must be prepared every four years, outlining how it will manage dogs and cats within its boundaries.

Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj said the DAMP was an important document.

“Domestic animals are close to a lot of people’s hearts, whether they have pets or not.

“We want to hear from pet owners, but it’s also important that we capture the views of everyone, and that includes people that love to use the many open spaces we have in our city.”

Using the feedback, the city will be able to accurately identify issues, topics for more education and how animal management can better serve the community.

The community can choose to provide their feedback through an online survey, by chatting to city officers or by attending a pop-up consultation.

Chair of the council’s safety, graffiti and regulation portfolio Cr Chris Burson said the DAMP needed to be representative of community attitudes.

“Let’s work together to create a DAMP that truly reflects the community attitudes towards domestic animals.”

The next pop-up consultation will take place today (Friday, March 21) from 4pm until 8pm at the Norlane ARC followed by another one at the Lara Dog Park on Tuesday, March 25 from 9am until 11am.

The online survey is open now and will run until 5pm on April 20.

For more information, to compete the survey or for a full list of consultation sessions, head to yoursay.geelongaustralia.com.au/DAMP2026