Geelong council has voted on whether to keep cats confined to their owner’s yard day and night

A long-awaited decision on whether to implement a 24-hour cat curfew across Greater Geelong came down to the wire, with a split vote resulting in Mayor Trent Sullivan having the final say.

Geelong council have voted on whether a 24-hour cat curfew should be implemented. Picture- Nicole Cleary.

A long-awaited decision on whether to implement a 24-hour cat curfew across Greater Geelong came down to the wire, with a split vote resulting in Mayor Trent Sullivan having the final say.

The expectedly contentious vote at Tuesday night’s council meeting in Portarlington occurred after an almost 30 minute debate that saw the 10 councillors in attendance express a range of opinions for and against the move.

Ultimately tied at five votes apiece, Mr Sullivan’s support for the curfew meant the motion got over the line.

Under the changes, which will come into effect on November 1, owners must confine pet cats to their properties – either inside the home, in a safe outdoor run or in a secure enclosure – at all times.

Cats that leave the premises must be restrained or in a cat carrier.

Supporting the curfew were Mr Sullivan, Jim Mason, Elise Wilkinson, Bruce Harwood and Belinda Moloney.

In the other corner were Melissa Cadwell, Eddy Kontelj, Anthony Aitken, Sarah Hathway and Peter Murrihy.

Currently, cats must be confined to their premises between sunset and sunrise.

An online Addy poll that received well in excess of 1000 votes found 52 per cent of respondents supported the change, compared to 48 per cent who opposed it.

“Our community has been very clear in its support for more stringent measures to safely deal with cats causing a nuisance and to minimise the impact of wandering cats on wildlife and the environment,” Mr Sullivan said.

Council conducted community engagement in June and July last year, receiving 2352 submissions.

‘Get me off this leash’: Cats have been contacted for comment. Picture: Kris Reichl.

There was an even split between cat and non-cat owners, with 62 per cent of all respondents supporting the introduction of a 24-hour curfew.

Ms Moloney said it was important cat ownership “wasn’t imposed on other people” through cats roaming neighbourhoods, while Ms Cadwell said the 24-hour curfew was an “additional burden” on registered cat owners.

“They’ve already adapted to the existing enforcement regime, which is mandatory desexing, microchipping, registration and the current 12-hour cat curfew,” she said.

Ms Cadwell said she had been advised that implementing the required measures to adhere to the 24-hour curfew would costs cat owners between $700 and $2000.

Ms Wilkinson said a six-month transition to the stricter curfew ensured cat owners had time to make modifications to their homes if required.

Under the Victorian Domestic Animals Act 2014, council officers can issue an infringement of $96 to $288 to a cat owner whose cat is found roaming outside their premises.

First-time offenders in Geelong will be issued a warning as part of an educational process.

It is unclear whether City Hall will allocate additional resources to enforce the curfew extension.

The 24-hour curfew will be reviewed a year after coming into effect, after Mr Mason introduced an amendment at the start of the debate.

Geelong has 10,575 registered cat owners, or just under 4 per cent of the population.

An average of 200 cats a month are impounded at the Geelong Animal Welfare Society.

The Surf Coast Shire implemented a 24-hour curfew in October.

Earlier: Cat to vote on cat curfew

The freedom of our feline friends is again under threat as Geelong councillors prepare to vote on whether cats should be confined to their owner’s property 24-hours a day.

The recommendation of council officers is for the confinement order to be approved, meaning cats within the Greater Geelong area would only be allowed in public if they were on a leash.

However, some councillors remain concerned about City Hall’s ability to enforce the change and the cost of doing so.

The issue was to be addressed at council’s February meeting, but Melissa Cadwell moved a last-minute procedural motion to defer debate on the matter, seconded by Anthony Aitken.

The pair wanted more information from officers about the impacts of the policy change, which would come into effect in November.

Currently, cats must be confined to their premises between sunset and sunrise, unlike the Surf Coast Shire which implemented a 24-hour curfew in October.

Geelong has 10,575 registered cat owners, or around 4 per cent of the population.

“By confining cats to their owner’s property at all times, the order is likely to reduce registered cats’ impact on neighbours and their pets or becoming a risk to the environment and wildlife,” council documents state.

“It is anticipated there will be both positive and negative community response to this order, however the strong community support identified through engagement supports the change.”

Council conducted community engagement in June and July last year, receiving 2352 submissions.

There was an even split between cat and non-cat owners, with 62 per cent of all respondents supporting the introduction of a 24-hour curfew.

Council officers have relied heavily on this result for their recommendation.

Two-thirds of those surveyed had experienced issues with wandering cats in their neighbourhood, including the killing of wildlife.

“People need to be accountable for their pets,” one respondent said.

“I wouldn’t expect my neighbour to have to put up with my dog if it could jump our fence and roam the neighbourhood killing wildlife and defecating on their private property.”

Others argued that cats help control rodent populations and that other factors, such as dogs, were more significant contributors to wildlife issues.

Councillors will vote on matter at their monthly meeting on Tuesday evening.

Originally published as Geelong council has voted on whether to keep cats confined to their owner’s yard day and night