Eurobodalla Shire Council has adopted the updated Local Orders Policy - Keeping of Animals, following public exhibition and consideration of 59 submissions.
The policy covers a range of animals and supports Council Rangers in responding to around 1,000 nuisance animal complaints each year, including barking and straying dogs, roosters crowing and cats impacting wildlife.
Eurobodalla Mayor Mathew Hatcher said Council has issued just three orders over the past four years, each involving high numbers of dogs and broader amenity and animal welfare issues.
"When a situation escalates to the point that an order is considered, it is because multiple complaints have been received and an investigation has found real impacts on neighbours, public safety, or animal welfare," Mayor Hatcher said.
Almost half of the submissions expressed views related to rabbit keeping.
In response to submissions, at the Tuesday 16 December Council Meeting, key updates to the policy were adopted and Councillors voted to review the policy again in 12 months. These included changes for rabbits, cats and poultry, where feedback highlighted the need for clearer guidance for both residents and Rangers.
For rabbits, the policy allows up to four per premises, with clearer animal welfare expectations when more than one is kept. One rabbit was the limit in the previous policy.
For cats, the policy includes guidance encouraging owners to keep cats indoors overnight and contained on their property, helping protect wildlife while keeping cats safe.
Poultry provisions clarify expectations around living conditions, including guidance that roosters and other noisy poultry may be unsuitable in residential areas.
Mayor Hatcher said the changes reflected community feedback while reinforcing how the policy is intended to be used – only when complaints are received.
"This policy is not about imposing new rules on responsible pet owners," Mayor Hatcher said.
"It provides Rangers with a clear, consistent framework to deal with situations where animal keeping is causing genuine problems and other avenues have not worked."
The adopted Local Orders Policy – Keeping of Animals is available on Council's website.
