$9.1 million Tweed pound and rehoming centre takes step forward as council awards contract to local builder
A new $9.1 million, seven-day pound and rehoming centre expected to house up to 80 companion animals has taken leaps and bounds towards completion. Take a sneak peek >
Tweed Heads
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The Tweed’s new Animal Pound and Rehoming Centre has taken leaps and bounds towards its completion after council voted unanimously to award a $6.8 million contract to design and construct the new state-of-the-art facility.
Alder Construction Pty Ltd has been chosen following a rigorous tendering process, with submissions received from six companies.
The contract is for the design and construction of the main animal rehoming building and carpark on council-owned land at 92 – 102 Lundberg Drive, South Murwillumbah.
Work on the site will begin following completion of capping earthworks – currently underway to rehabilitate the former tip site.
In total, the facility is expected to cost $9.1 million to build, funded by Tweed Shire Council with the support of the Australian and NSW governments.
Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry said council is pleased to see progress for the “exciting” facility for Tweed along with a” locally-based builder” appointed to undertake the work.
“The new centre will be a one-stop-shop for the impounding, sheltering, and rehoming of animals and their veterinary care, the impoundment of vehicles, a new office base for our Rangers and a new administrative centre for our not-for-profit animal rehoming partners, Friends of the Pound.”
The facility will be state-of-the-art and include an outdoor exercise yard and have the latest standards in animal care.
“We can’t wait for it to open,” Ms Cherry said.
Construction is expected to commence by mid-to-late 2024, with completion expected by late 2025.
The new centre will replace Council’s former pound at Stotts Creek, which closed in 2019 after it was found to be flood-prone, and the area was required as part of the expansion of Council’s Resource and Recovery Centre.
Current impounded animals are being cared for by a private operator, with the support of rehoming services by Friends of the Pound.
The new centre will be open to the public seven days a week and have the capacity to house up to 80 companion animals – 40 dogs and 40 cats – in need of new homes.
It also includes space for animal enrichment at the rear of the property which is an important element of the design.
Footing the bill for Stage 1 of the new centre comes from:
Australian Government LRCI Phase 3 – COVID 19 Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program Guidelines – $1,761,562
Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot election commitment – $1 million
NSW Office of Local Government – Local Government Grants (Floods) – Highly Impacted Councils – Companion Animals Support – $375,000
Tweed Shire Council is funding an additional $6 million.
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