Shire adopts new Domestic Animal Management Plan

THE Surf Coast Shire council’s new four-year Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) is now in effect.

Under the Domestic Animal Act (1994), councils must have a DAMP that is reviewed annually and carry out a full comprehensive review every four years.

The plan was developed following a strong community engagement process, with a community survey attracting 734 responses, 570 from pet owners, and 164 non-pet owners.

In October 2021, the council placed the draft DAMP on public exhibition for 28 days, and received 27 contacts including 25 public submissions.

The submissions were considered and minor changes implemented in the final plan, which meets the requirements for the shire’s domestic animal services.

Building on the 2017-21 DAMP, the new plan – which came into effect on February 1 – contains 38 actions.

These include:

• Working actively with the Great Ocean Road Coast and Parks Authority to understand future roles and responsibilities for dogs and cats on coastal land
• Better using Animal Welfare Victoria to ensure best practice service is provided to the community
• Identifying a location, and applying for funding, for a dog park in Torquay
• Investigating and recommending an option around extending the existing cat curfew
• Discontinuing the use and promotion of aversive training methods, including citronella collars
• A commitment to at least eight community education/awareness campaigns per year on key domestic animal management issues
• A commitment to 30 hours weekly of proactive Ranger patrols in peak periods and 20 hours weekly in off-peak periods
• Investigating the development of an app to provide better information to pet owners about key topics such as designated off-leash areas
• Better engagement with dog trainers and behaviourists in the region to promote their services, ensure they are appropriately registered and to consider options for training as an alternative to fines
• More focus on the impact dogs are having on sporting grounds, and
• Consideration of more playful, less traditional signage to cut through on key messages particularly dog poo.

Cr Mike Bodsworth said he was pleased with the level of community engagement and believes this is reflected in the plan.

“The greater community engagement, the more accommodating our DAMP can be now and into the future. It’s all about allowing pets and people to live together in harmony and safety across the shire (and) once again, recognising that companion animals are part of our community and contribute to the health and well-being of many people.”

Cr Paul Barker was the lone vote against adopting the plan, saying he was philosophically opposed to it.

“I’d rather see a world where individuals take responsibility and manage their pets effectively, but the end result is that this management plan is to manage those issues where there is insufficient responsibility being shown.”