Shire readopts policy on circuses

THE Surf Coast Shire council has readopted its policy on hosting circuses, and has not shifted its firm stance on the issue.

The official ban on circuses with caged animals from council-managed land began in 2014.

It followed a visit by Perry Brothers Circus in 2010, in which an elephant was tethered to Torquay Common for several days in hot weather, causing significant backlash from residents and visitors.

The original resolution also called on the then-Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) to adopt a similar policy for land that GORCC manages, which the committee did.

Under the circus policy, any applicants who make booking enquiries will be advised the council will not allow circuses or events to be hosted or performed on council-owned or managed land where that circus or event includes caged or restrained wild or exotic animals.

No circuses containing caged animals have been approved on council land since 2014, and circuses containing domesticated animals have been hosted without incident or reports of concern for those animals.

Councillors resolved to review the Circus Policy at their October 28 meeting and voted to readopt it.

Cr Rose Hodge, who was on the council when it created the policy, said the October 28 meeting was the third time the council had reviewed the policy, and noted the involvement of former councillor Margot Smith, who was then a board member of the RSPCA.

“At the time (in 2010), there was a circus that came to town and there was a very lonely-looking elephant in a lot of heat.

“A lot of people wrote to us asking ‘why are we allowing this?’ but it was actually on GORCC land at the time.

“So we spoke to the RSPCA and we spoke to many people, and we put it out for submissions and we heard from the community – it was overwhelming that it was time to move on from live animals in circuses, and so we did.

“A few people were a bit disappointed but overall, the actual reception we got from nearly around the world after we did it was quite extraordinary; it was one of the biggest ‘thank you’ messages.

“It’s not just rates, roads and rubbish, it’s about caring for our community, our animals… and GORCC has also adopted the same policy.”

Cr Gary Allen congratulated the previous council for adopting the policy.

“I know it’s too much to hope to have Cirque du Soleil on the Surf Coast, but that’s the future of such entertainment,” he said.

According to its website, the RSPCA is opposed to the use of animals for any kind of entertainment, exhibition or performance likely to cause injury, pain or suffering.

“Our policy is based on evidence that no circus, no matter how well managed, can provide an appropriate environment for wild animals,” the website states.

“We believe that animals used in performances must be treated with respect, not objectified or subjected to indignity or ridicule.”