Page 2355 - Week 07 - Thursday, 27 August 2020
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
(3) The provision of additional fencing to playgrounds will continue to be undertaken where required to mitigate risk. The provision of additional fencing for other reasons such as to increase accessibility for special needs children or respond to community requests will continue to be considered with regard to the available funding and competing priorities. There are no plans to remove fencing on any ACT Government owned and managed playgrounds across Canberra.
Animals—cat containment policy
(Question No 3042)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Minister for City Services, upon notice, on 5 June 2020:
(1) What are the ACT Government’s plans to create new cat containment areas in (a) new residential areas and (b) existing residential areas.
(2) What education and enforcement activity within cat containment areas has been undertaken in the last year.
(3) Can the Minister provide details of any fines, warnings, or other sanctions against cat owners who have breached the rules in cat containment areas in the last year.
Mr Steel: The answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1)
a. New suburbs in Gungahlin and Molonglo Valley are likely to be declared as cat containment areas in the future, consistent with the Molonglo Valley Plan for the Protection of Matters of National Environmental Significance (the NES Plan) and the Gungahlin Strategic Assessment Biodiversity Plan. It is anticipated that other new suburbs will be declared in the future. These are suburbs where the presence of cats could likely to be a serious threat to native flora and fauna in the area.
b. Broader cat containment is being considered through the development of a Cat Plan. A draft Cat Plan was released for consultation in 2019. The ACT Government is working through the outcomes of this consultation to ensure a balanced outcome for cats, owners and the environment.
(2) Managing cats is the responsibility of the pet owner and Transport Canberra and City Services (TCCS) takes an educational approach to cat containment through providing advice to residents via individual enquiries and through the TCCS website. This is in line with the general expectation that the community will act responsibly and with regard for the law and the well-being of others and the environment. When receiving Animal Nuisance complaints relating to cats, Rangers undertake an educational approach with the owners, where possible, as an initial response.
(3) In the 2019-20 financial year, one infringement has been issued under S82 of the Domestic Animal Act 2004, for breach of cat containment.
Recycling—costs
(Question No 3044)
Ms Le Couteur asked the Minister for Recycling and Waste Reduction, upon notice, on 5 June 2020:
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video