Cat breeding facility proposed for Karrabin, Ipswich as city’s stray problem worsens

Ipswich City Council is reportedly “generally supportive” of a new cat breeding facility proposed to be built at a rural property in town. SEE THE PLANS.

The owners of a well-established dog and cat kennel facility have proposed to build and operate a new breeding cattery at Ipswich, amid reports there is already an “endless stream” of stray kittens filtering into the community.

Applicant Saji Pty Ltd has lodged an application with Ipswich City Council to build an “intensive animal husbandry” in a shed at 38 and 40 Kely Rd, Karrabin.

According to a report submitted to the council, the proposed development will include a breeding cattery for a maximum of 50 cats and will be located in a single-storey shed that already exists at the 7.35ha site.

Ipswich cat-trappers are reportedly working overtime, and out of their own pocket, to rehabilitate strays. Picture: File / Russell Millard

It would be constructed beside kennel facilities approved to house up to 36 cats and 120 dogs at a time; both of which have operated from the shed since before 1972.

“It is proposed to enclose the awning area at the rear of the shed and to provide external cattery exercise yards that would be enclosed with mesh,” the planning report read.

“The external cattery exercise yards are (accessible) via internal doors which means that the breeding cattery facility would be fully enclosed to prevent any noise impacts on adjoining properties.

“It is noted that cats are extremely quiet and are unlikely to cause any noise impacts.”

A floor plan of the existing shed and external patio and the proposed breeding enclosures at Kely Rd, Karrabin.

All animals in the breeding cattery would be housed in a “solid, soundproofed” building between 7pm and 7am each day and would only be exercised in a designated enclosure.

The report noted the relevant shed was located in a cleared area, meaning there would be “no impact” either environmentally or ecologically if the breeding cattery was approved and built.

“The proposed breeding cattery is unlikely to generate additional traffic movements to and from the site as customers only attend the site to collect the kittens,” the report read.

The proposed changes to the shed at 38 and 40 Kely Rd, Karrabin.

Ten visitor carparking spaces are already provided on site, but one additional visitor space has been proposed with the breeding cattery.

A caretakers’ dwelling is presently located beside the cattery building, which is located central to the site about 65m from the rear boundary of the property and 90m from the nearest adjoining home.

The applicant’s planning report stated Ipswich City Council was “generally supportive” of the proposed breeding cattery, providing it was located within an enclosed building, and had advised that its hours of operation should be between 7am and 7pm weekdays and between 8am and 6pm on weekends.