Published on Saturday, 16 October 2021 at 9:31:52 AM
Under the draft City of Vincent Animal Local Law 2021, chicken restrictions would be eased and the existing Poultry Prohibited Area abolished – allowing poultry pets in all areas of Vincent.
There will also be a more flexible approach to people owning bees – which is great news for local beekeepers.
The draft laws will also provide for the effective management, control and regulation of other animals in Vincent such as dogs, cats and birds.
Mayor Emma Cole said the current rules surrounding chickens are “tricky” with chicken coops subject to significant boundary setbacks and requiring hard concrete slabs – which are undesirable for feathery friends.
“We are seeing more Vincent residents having chickens and bees at home. Chickens are a wonder with food scraps and there’s nothing like having a daily fresh egg supply, often shared with the neighbours.
“There is also a growing interest in bee hives and DIY bee homes, as people understand the vital role that bees play in the health of our local biodiversity.
“Currently, chickens in Vincent are required to be kept 18m from a street and 15m from any dwelling which makes it really difficult for those on smaller blocks,’’ she said.
“A fresh look at our chicken and bee laws was something both community and Vincent Council has been advocating for. It will mean more residents in Vincent can enjoy the benefits of owning chickens and bees.
The new rules allow locals to have up to 6 chickens in their backyard, but they will require City approval for more than six chickens or a rooster.
Cat exclusion zones will also be considered in the proposed new laws to prohibit cats from wandering onto Vincent reserves, where native fauna flourishes. While specific parks are not determined, this could include parks where wildlife need greater protection.
Mayor Cole said the new rules could protect environmentally sensitive areas such as Hyde Park and Banks Reserve – which have thriving bird and wildlife populations.
“While we are considering prohibited areas for cats, we are not looking at confining cats to their backyards or introducing a cat curfew, as this is something that would need to be explored through State Government reform to the Cat Act,’’ she said.
The proposed new City of Vincent Animal Local Law 2021, which will go out for public consultation, includes the following:
Poultry
• Removal of setbacks, ensuring there is a focus on assessing nuisance instead
• Removal of the Poultry Prohibited Area in the City of Vincent
• Provisions relating to cleanliness, maintenance and management
• Adoption of a ‘nuisance’ definition
• Reduction in the maximum number of poultry from 12 to 6, unless otherwise approved; and
• Removal of prescriptive provisions such as the requirement to have impervious floors in enclosures.
Bees
• Bees Provisions within the new Animal Local Law proposes to remove prescriptive requirements including setbacks and introduce reference to the ‘WA Apiarist Society Best-Practice Guidelines for Urban Beekeepers’. This approach would be more flexible for owner/occupiers within the City to keep bees
Cats
• Allow Council to introduce cat prohibited areas to control cat wandering on to specified City land
• Require a licence for the keeping of more than 3 cats over 6 months at one premises and allow for action to be taken against cats deemed to be a ‘nuisance’
• Modified penalties would be included for the offence of allowing a cat to enter a prohibited area, or not gaining or complying with a licence when required
• The Animal Local Law does not propose to introduce cat confinement or curfew requirements
Dogs
• The existing Dog Local Law would be repealed and transitioned to the proposed Animal Local Law
• The content remains unchanged in the majority, with minor amendments to the penalties applicable for committing an offence
• There have been no additional provisions included
• Dog exercise areas would continue to be introduced or removed by way of an absolute majority decision of Council
The draft City of Vincent Local Animal Law 2021 can be viewed below.
http://vincent.infocouncil.biz/Open/2021/10/CO_20211012_AGN_5342_AT_files/CO_20211012_AGN_5342_AT_Attachment_20209_1.PDF
Minor amendments were approved at the 12 October 2021 Ordinary Council Meeting, the amendments can be viewed in the minutes:
http://vincent.infocouncil.biz/Open/2021/10/CO_20211012_MIN_5342.PDF
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