THE Surf Coast Shire council has readopted its policy on hosting circuses, and has not shifted its firm stance on the issue.<\/p>\n
The official ban on circuses with caged animals from council-managed land began in 2014.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Councillors resolved to review the Circus Policy at their October 28 meeting and voted to readopt it.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people wrote to us asking ‘why are we allowing this?\u2019 but it was actually on GORCC land at the time.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cA 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\u2019 messages.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s not just rates, roads and rubbish, it\u2019s about caring for our community, our animals… and GORCC has also adopted the same policy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Gary Allen congratulated the previous council for adopting the policy.<\/p>\n
\u201cI know it\u2019s too much to hope to have Cirque du Soleil on the Surf Coast, but that\u2019s the future of such entertainment,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur policy is based on evidence that no circus, no matter how well managed, can provide an appropriate environment for wild animals,\u201d the website states.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe believe that animals used in performances must be treated with respect, not objectified or subjected to indignity or ridicule.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n