‘Ridiculous’ $45k council fee could spell end for rescue sanctuary

Scores of rescued animals are at risk as Brisbane City Council takes action against a sanctuary that couldn’t pay $45,312 to change its approved use.

The lives of over 170 rescued animals are hanging in the balance after a sanctuary was unable to pay a “ridiculous” $45,312 council fee to change its use.

Death Row Unchained founder Kate Bijkerk was devastated last week to read a Brisbane City Council officer would be reissuing an enforcement notice requiring her to stop using her Burbank property as a rescue farm.

The council warned her in March that she had about three weeks to cough up the fee for the application, which had been sitting idle since 2019, before it would be withdrawn.

“We were told by town planners that we might be looking at $5,000 or $10,000 for a change of use so I thought it was ridiculous when I saw the council was asking for $45,000,” Ms Bijkerk said.

“We don’t make that kind of money and everything we do make goes straight back into our infrastructure and programs.

“We’ve saved over 3800 animals, many being from the council’s pounds so we’ve taken away expenses they would have had.”

Kate Bijkerk with Pig Sunni and Duckling Earnest. Picture: Steve Pohlner

The council first issued a notice in August 2019, stating the 125,200 sqm property was being unlawfully used for animal keeping.

Ms Bijkerk then progressed an application with her town planner and was notified of the hefty council fee in November 2019.

Her town planner wrote to the council seeking a concession given Death Row Unchained was a volunteer-based sanctuary and the proposed use was consistent with the surrounding area.

But an urban planner with the council responded saying the information provided was not detailed enough to warrant a fee reduction.

She highlighted in her response that Death Row Unchained was a private company and not registered as a charity or not-for-profit.

The Burbank property not only gives animals a second chance at life but runs programs providing animal therapy for former defence force personnel, people with disabilities and survivors of abuse and domestic violence.

Ms Bijkerk, a single mother, said she had suffered abuse in her own past and Death Row Unchained had turned her life around.

“The Lord Mayor has just invested $300,000 into domestic violence resources and I’ve created a safe place for so many people who have come from that exact situation and now they’re going to charge us this ridiculous fee or throw us out on the street,” Ms Bijkerk said.

“I feel this is unjust.

“I’m struggling to understand why the council wouldn’t work with us to find a solution.”

The council’s application fee was charged based the sanctuary’s operating area which spans 16,390 sqm and includes a shed and work area, special needs area, disability area, event area and pig pen.

Kate Bijkerk with mini horse Jake and duckling Earnest. Picture: Steve Pohlner

City Planning Chair Krista Adams said the council offered 50 per cent off development applications fees for charities and not-for-profits.

“This helps take the pressure off charities so they can continue to focus on the important work they do,” Cr Adams said.

“While we do offer a 50 per cent reduction of this fee for registered charities, Death Row Unchained does not operate as a charitable organisation.

“Death Row Unchained does a fantastic job in helping protect animals from Brisbane and surrounds and we encourage them to apply for not-for-profit status to be eligible for this discount so we can review their application.”

Labor councillor for Morningside Kara Cook said the council should help Death Row Unchained navigate the red tape.

“Once again we see the LNP run Council treating a wonderful community organisation like criminals,” she said.

“Death Row Unchained not only does amazing work rescuing thousands of animals from the council’s own pounds, but also supports some of the most vulnerable people in our community rebuild their lives with over 158 volunteers.”

The council did not clarify when it was issuing an enforcement notice or when Death Row Unchained was required to cease using the property.