About the project
Every four years, under the Domestic Animals Act 1994, Victorian local councils must prepare a plan outlining how they will manage dogs, cats and other domestic animals within their shire.
The Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) aims to balance the needs and safety of all public space users, pets and the environment, and helps council to understand areas of pet ownership that require further support.
The DAMP identifies how Bass Coast Shire Council will:
- Promote and support responsible pet ownership,
- Protect the welfare of dogs and cats in the community; and
- Protect the community and the environment from nuisance dogs and cats
Developing the draft
Earlier this year Council sought feedback from the community to help us understand local animal-related issues, where community need more education and support from Council, and what are the priorities of domestic animal management for the next four years. Feedback from this initial round of consultation helped us to consider emerging issues and ensure the Domestic Animal Management Plan is relevant.
The opportunity to provide feedback was extensively promoted and captured through surveys, written submissions, at pop-up sessions and workshops with key stakeholder groups.
A total of 823 people provided feedback which has helped to shape the draft DAMP.
The community told us that what is most important to consider:
- Dog off-leash areas at selected parks and foreshores
- Dog waste bags at selected parks and foreshores
- Environmental stewardship and protection of natural assets
- Signage to explain responsible pet requirements, including leash restrictions
- Collecting and reuniting found animals
- A holistic, Shire-wide framework for scoping new dog parks and setting foreshore regulations
- Effective communications, education and enforcement to promote responsible pet ownership across the Shire
We heard support for:
- The
proposed fenced dog park in Inverloch and the need for a fenced dog park
in Philip Island
- The
development of the Dogs in Public Places Guidelines to set a consistent
future-focussed framework for establishing new inland dog parks and
setting beach regulations to achieve a balance between recreational dog
use and wildlife protection
- Audit
and uplift in signage across the Shire, with a focus on environmentally
sensitive areas
- Communications
and education campaigns in partnerships with local community groups that
promote environmental stewardship and health and wellbeing benefits of
responsible pet ownership
- Maximising Council resources and services that promote responsible pet ownership, including provision of dog waste bags
