LGNSW has expressed disappointment with the NSW parliamentary inquiry report into the management of cat populations, describing its hesitance to support enforceable cat containment policies for councils as "a missed opportunity".
LGNSW President Cr Phyllis Miller OAM said that, although the report included some positive recommendations, the refusal to back enforceable cat containment policies for councils would result in worse outcomes for biodiversity, threatened species, communities and cats themselves.
"Councils are on the frontline, trying to improve animal welfare and environmental protection. But without having the option to choose enforceable containment, our hands are tied when cats are left to roam, become predators or just cause a general nuisance," Cr Miller said.
"We need mandatory cat containment measures and they must be accompanied by adequate funding and resources so councils can enforce them.
"Australians have adapted to the legal requirement to keep dogs confined to residential premises. Local government seeks the same provision for cats."
Cr Miller also pointed to the need for better education of cat owners and carers to reduce the roaming of cats, particularly at night.
"Cats simply need to be kept indoors at night," Cr Miller said. "As a cat owner myself, I know how important this is - not only to protect native fauna, but also to protect my pet! It's really not that hard and cat owners need to be better at getting on board".
In its inquiry submission, LGNSW highlighted the impact of cats on Australian biodiversity. The submission noted that cats had already driven 27 species to extinction since colonisation and threaten at least 124 more species with the same fate.
Cr Miller acknowledged the committee's recognition of the urgent need for stronger cat management strategies, including funding for free and subsidised desexing, along with statewide education and behaviour-change programs.
"Those measures are welcome and essential. But effective management requires a holistic approach - statewide education, desexing, containment, trapping, and adequate funding for councils, welfare groups and re-homing organisations. To exclude containment is to ignore one of the most powerful tools we have.
"We know the NSW Government is also conducting a review of the Companion Animals Act and LGNSW will continue to advocate strongly for councils to be able to adopt these policies.
"The Government must step in and deliver the legislative tools and the funds and resources that councils need to effectively manage this problem."
