Shire renews circus ban

THE circus is still not coming to town on Surf Coast Shire land, with councillors renewing their circus policy at their meeting last month.

The official ban on circuses with caged wild 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 Great Ocean Road Coast Committee (GORCC) to adopt a similar policy for land that GORCC manages, which the committee has done.

Under the circus policy, any applicants who make booking enquiries will be advised that 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 exotic animals have been approved on council land since 2014, and circuses containing domesticated animals have been hosted without incident or reports of concern for animals used in the circus.

Cr Margot Smith said she was aware of one request to hold a circus on Surf Coast Shire land in the past 12 months, but not of any others.

“I think it was a very good policy when it was put in, and I think it’s fairly well known that we do have that policy.

“It’s good for animal welfare outcomes and I’m a great supporter of it.”