Tweed Shire Council today officially opened Tweed's new flood-free Animal Management Facility in Murwillumbah South. The purpose-built centre will house up to 80 companion animals (40 dogs and 40 cats) and includes facilities for stockyard animals.
Designed in line with the latest animal welfare and rehoming guidelines, the centre consolidates impounding, sheltering, rehoming and veterinary care in one location. It also provides a new administrative hub for Friends of the Pound (Tweed) Inc, Council's rehoming provider and is the new office for Council's Rangers unit, with dedicated space for impounded property and animals.
The new centre replaces Council's former pound at Stotts Creek, which closed in 2019 as it was as flood-prone. The land was also required for the expansion of the Stotts Creek Resource and Recovery Centre.
During construction, impounded animals were cared for by a private operator with rehoming support from Friends of the Pound. When Friends of the Pound start operating from this facility (expected early 2026), services will be consolidated and future-proofed to meet the Tweed's growing needs.
Funded by 3 tiers of government, the project delivers a key community priority to improve outcomes for lost and surrendered pets across the Tweed. Additional exercise yards have been incorporated, so staff and volunteers can regularly exercise and enrich the lives of animals on site, a vital element of the design.
Contractor Alder delivered the construction component of the $9.2 million project following a rigorous tender process. Council and partners collaborated throughout design and delivery to ensure the centre meets contemporary welfare standards and provides a welcoming, functional environment for staff, volunteers, animals and prospective adopters.
Mayor of Tweed Shire Chris Cherry said the opening marked a major step forward for animal welfare in the region.
"Today we've delivered a modern, flood-free facility that allows our Rangers, volunteers and animal carers the right spaces to do their best work and gives our community confidence that lost or surrendered pets are well cared for and have a good chance of finding a new home," Cr Cherry said.
Comment from Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot:
"I'm proud to be delivering on my election commitment of $1 million to complete Tweed Shire Council and Friends of the Pound's new animal pound and rehoming centre at South Murwillumbah.
"The $1 million in funding from the Albanese Labor Government comes on top of a further $1.76 million in Australian Government's funding for this vital project.
"The design and build of this new facility is in line with the latest in animal welfare guidelines and features new dog kennels, catteries and facilities for stockyard animals, which will replace Council's former pound at Stotts Creek.
"I'd like to acknowledge the dedication and the long-standing involvement of Friends of the Pound, the not-for-profit animal rescue charity in this project.
"Friends of the Pound work closely with Council and the community to ensure our precious animals are cared for and rehomed.
"I also congratulate Tweed Shire Council's commitment to this new facility and I'm pleased that it can now officially open thanks to my election commitment funding from the Albanese Labor Government," she said.
Comment from State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin:
"Our pets are important to us. They are part of our families.
"We see this clearly during disasters now when rescuers know that people need to bring their animals with them."
"Whether lost, surrendered or abandoned, the animals who come into animal shelters deserve to be cared for in a safe environment and it is great to see all levels of government – Federal, State and Local, coming together to support animal welfare with this new flood-free facility."
Comment from Friends of the Pound President Sonia Trichter:
"Friends of the Pound (Tweed) Inc. is excited to embrace the new Animal Management in partnership with Tweed Shire Council. This purpose-built centre will provide modern, compassionate care for lost and surrendered animals and marks a new era for animal welfare in our region and gives us the opportunity to help even more animals find their forever homes."
Cr Cherry thanked funding partners and delivery teams for bringing the project to fruition.
"This facility would not have been possible without the support of the Australian and NSW governments and the tireless advocacy of Friends of the Pound. I also acknowledge the design and construction team for working with Council and our partners to deliver a centre that meets high standards of welfare, safety and service to the community," she said.
Comment from Alder CEO – Dean Cheffers:
"Alder is pleased to have partnered with Tweed Shire Council to deliver a contemporary, purpose-built facility that supports better welfare outcomes for animals and provides a safe, efficient workplace for staff and volunteers.
"This has been a rewarding project for our team and reflects our continued partnership with Council in delivering important community infrastructure. We're proud to see it complete and to keep contributing to essential projects across Northern NSW."
Funding for project has been provided by the following partners:
- Australian Government LRCI Phase 3 - COVID 19 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Guidelines – $1,761,562
- Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot election commitment – $1 million
- NSW Office of Local Government - Local Government Grants (Floods) – Highly Impacted Councils - Companion Animals Support - $375,000
- Tweed Shire Council – $6,037,038
- Total Project cost: $9,173,600
