Progress has been made on a new state-of-the-art Animal Pound and Rehoming Centre for the Tweed with Council calling for tenders to design and construct the facility's main building and carpark.
At its meeting on 15 February, Council resolved to commence Stage 1 of the project by completing a design and construct tender package and approach the market. Stage 1 includes detailed design and construction of the main animal rehoming building and carpark which is jointly funded by Tweed Shire Council and the NSW and Federal governments.
The proposed new development will be constructed on Council-owned land at 92 –-102 Lundberg Drive, South Murwillumbah. It will replace Council's former pound facility at Stotts Creek, which closed in 2019 after it was found to be flood-prone and the area was required as part of the expansion of Council's Resource and Recovery Centre.
Construction is expected to commence by mid-to-late 2024, with completion expected by late 2025, weather permitting.
Council's Director Sustainable Communities and Environment Naomi Searle welcomed the news which would allow this much-needed facility to progress to the next stage.
"The Tweed is advancing towards the realisation of a new state-of-the-art Animal Pound and Rehoming Centre. We are pleased to announce the initiation of the tender process, inviting proposals for the design and construction of the primary animal rehoming facility and associated carpark," Ms Searle said.
"This marks a significant step forward in providing improved care and facilities for our community's animals."
Since closure of the pound, Council has worked in partnership with not-for-profit organisation Friends of the Pound and a temporary arrangement for lost and impounded animals has since been in place at a private boarding kennel. However, the current lease held by Friends of the Pound at their Murwillumbah outlet is coming to an end on 30 June 2024.
"Unfortunately, the private lease arrangements have not been renewed, resulting in Friends of the pound having to relocate. It is understood Friends of the Pound will relocate to their site in Tweed Heads which we hope will prove to be a good outcome for them," Ms Searle said.
"We know construction of the new pound can't come soon enough and we appreciate the patience of the community while we progress to the next stage of this project."
The facility was granted development consent on 18 December 2023 enabling the project to progress to tendering. The proposed facility will have multiple functions including the impoundment of animals and vehicles, sheltering of animals, rehoming of animals, veterinary care, Rangers' office base and an administration area to be utilised and leased to the Friends of the Pound.
The new centre will be open to the public 7 days a week and have the capacity to house up to 80 companion animals – 40 dogs and 40 cats – in need of new homes. It also includes space for animal enrichment at the rear of the property which is an important element of the design.
Stage 2 involves the design and construction of the additional exercise yard, vehicle impoundment area and farm animal impoundment and shelters, and will be completed in parallel to the pound.
The primary object of this project is to have a multi-purpose facility that meets legislative requirements of animal rehoming and welfare and a facility that is fit for purpose for Council staff, the community and voluntary animal rehoming organisation (currently Friends of the Pound).
Funding for Stage 1 of the project has been provided by the following:
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Australian Government LRCI Phase 3 - COVID 19 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Guidelines – Phase 3 - $1,761,562
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Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot election commitment - $1,000,000
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NSW Office of Local Government - Local Government Grants (Floods) – Highly Impacted Councils - Companion Animals Support - $375,000
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Tweed Shire Council is funding an additional $6,000,000.
The project's first tender to undertake minor works earthworks was released to the market on 1 March and is set to close on 27 March 2024. The tender for the main pound building will be released soon. Tenders can be viewed and submissions made to tweed.nsw.gov.au/tenders-contracts.
