Fetching feedback: Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan

We're fetching feedback on our Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2026–2029 and we want our community to have their say.

Between August and September last year, 90 community members shared their views through surveys and in-person feedback sessions, helping to shape the draft Plan.

Through this process community shared with us concerns around responsible pet ownership, particularly relating to roaming cats and dogs.

In response, Council has developed a draft Plan that aims to address these issues while supporting a safe, respectful, and balanced community for both pet owners and non-pet owners.

Key proposed updates in the draft Plan include:

• Considering the introduction of a cat curfew (either overnight or 24 hours a day) via a Council Order
• Considering a requirement for dogs to be on-lead at all times outside of designated off-leash areas
• Improvements to the animal registration process to make it simpler and more accessible

Council is required to update its Domestic Animal Management Plan every four years under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.

The Plan plays an important role in guiding how dogs and cats are managed across the municipality.

Feedback is open now at the online survey below until 5pm, Thursday, 23 April 2026.

Pet owners are also invited to upload their favourite photos of their pets for us to feature in the final Domestic Animal Management Plan.