South Burnett Council brainstorms $137k dog registration loss

South Burnett Regional Council’s mayor is calling for a backflip on a more than 300 per cent hike to dog registration fees as new figures reveal it has left a $137,000 budget hole.

South Burnett Regional Council brainstorm $137k dog registration loss.

South Burnett residents may soon have to pay to register their cats, as councillors brainstorm methods to recover a $137,000 loss in registered dog fees.

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Mayor Brett Otto brought forward a motion at Wednesday’s meeting to lower the fees, following a 367 per cent hike in the annual dog registration costs in December.

He said the current costs were “a disincentive to owners in registering their dogs.

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Mr Otto suggested lowering costs for domestic, desexed and working dogs by at least 50 per cent and increasing the costs for restricted, menacing and dangerous dogs.

Mr Otto said this would those who do the right thing and impose tougher costs on those doing the wrong thing.

Councillor Scott Henschen said Wondai has an enormous amount of feral cats.

“Research shows dogs reduce stress levels, we should be encouraging people to have dogs,” he said.

“We have double the state average of retirees, the dog is their company.”

Councillor Kirstie Schumacher said she was mindful of the number of dog complaints, but did want to keep registration fees low.

“I know how hard it is to deliver service, keep the cost low and meet the needs of every resident,” Mrs Schumacher said.

Councillor Gavin Jones said his concern was compensating council’s loss when lowering registration fees, without dropping council funded community services.

“This is a hard decision,” Mr Jones said.

Councillor Scott Henschen said introducing even a $5 cat registration fee would help recover the $137,000 loss.

“We have an enormous amount of feral cats in Wondai, cats have always been a topic, it’s a seriously tough one,” Mr Henschen said.

Councillor Danita Potter said cats in Logan City and the Sunshine Coast have to be registered with the council.

Councillor Jane Erkens said she doesn’t believe registering domestic cats will prevent the stray cat problem.

“They’re everywhere in Nanango … breeding like rabbits,” Mrs Erkens said.

“If we have registration for cats we'll have everyone complaining and demanding about the stray cats in town.”

Mr Otto paused the debate and the motion will be discussed further at April’s budget meeting.