Have Your Say On Draft Keeping Of Domestic Animals Policy

There has been a lot of emotional tooing and froing on social media recently about Hilltops Council’s draft Keeping of Domestic Animals Policy currently on public display.

The proposed policy will remain on public display until 5 pm on Friday, June 23.

Hilltops Council’s Director Planning, Jaime Dyhrberg said Council said the draft policy was simply a means for consistent approach when it came to Council using their discretionary powers about the keeping of domestic animals in residential areas.

“The draft policy only applies to domestic animals in residential settings in town,” Mr Dyhrberg said.

“It does not apply to rural settings or commercial settings. We’re not intending to extend our powers at all. We thought that there may be some value to having set guidelines for a consistent approach.”

With no current guidelines in place, the onus is on the particular Council officer to make a decision on a case-by-case approach.

This can create inconsistencies between Council officers as well as a perception of unfairness where similar cases have different outcomes.

“Someone will raise a concern, generally animal welfare or noise or odour,” Mr Dyhrberg said.

“We investigate on a case-by-case basis. Some people feel really blindsided because they didn’t know we’ve got those discretionary powers, and some were unaware that their animals were creating a bit of a ruckus. We do occasionally get calls from people asking, “Is it okay that my neighbour has that many dogs? With set guidelines, we could simply answer yes and that can deflate any issues.”

Mr Dyhrberg encouraged residents to have their say because the policy is not a done deal. While a petition will show a strength of number regarding support for a particular view, he said it was important that people put their concerns in their own words, in a way that makes sense to them.

“We’re not having a referendum,” he said.

Send your submission to:
General Manager
Hilltops Council
Locked Bag 5
YOUNG NSW 2594
Submissions can also be emailed to submissions@hilltops.nsw.gov.au.

• Topics:

• Local Council
• Pets & Animals
• Community Feedback