New Murwillumbah pound and rehoming centre one step closer after sod turning

A new state-of-the-art pound for animals keen on pawing and pouncing their way into a loving home is leaps and bounds closer to fruition today after the site broke ground in the Tweed.

State and local dignitaries at a sod turning for the new Animal Pound and Rehoming Facility, Murwillumbah. Picture: Murray Rix.

A new state-of-the-art pound for animals keen on pawing and pouncing their way into a loving home is leaps and bounds closer to fruition today after the site broke ground in the Tweed.

Murwillumbah’s $9.1 million Animal Pound and Rehoming Facility, which will house up to 80 companion animals – 40 dogs and 40 cats – is expected to be completed by mid 2025.

The new facility is on Tweed Shire Council-owned land on Lundberg Dr, South Murwillumbah.

Richmond MP Justine Elliot – who committed $1 million towards the project at the last election – as well as representatives from Friends of the Pound and Tweed Shire, were at the site on Tuesday for sod turning.

Artist impression: Animal Pound and Rehoming Facility, Murwillumbah. Picture: Supplied.

The new centre will replace council’s former pound at Stotts Creek, which closed in 2019 after it was found to be flood-prone.

Currently, impounded animals are being cared for by a private operator, with the support of rehoming services by Friends of the Pound.

Tweed Shire Council Deputy Mayor Meredith Dennis said the new pound would “enhance the welfare of animals in the Tweed.

“This new centre will consolidate the impounding, sheltering and rehoming of animals, along with providing veterinary care. It will also accommodate vehicle impoundment, serve as a new office for our rangers, and function as an administrative hub for our non-profit animal rehoming partners, Friends of the Pound,” she said.

Animal Pound and Rehoming Facility, Murwillumbah. Picture: Murray Rix.

“The facility will provide much improved services, including an outdoor exercise yard for the animals and has been designed to the latest standards. We are thrilled to have this centre for the Tweed.”

Friends of the Pound president Sonia Trichter said the new facility would cater to the community.

MP Justine Elliot all cuddled up. Picture: Supplied.

“We are frequently approached by community members who need to surrender their animals, often due to constraints within the rental housing market,” she said.

Ms Elliot said: “I’m proud to be delivering on my election commitment of $1 million to complete Tweed Shire Council and Friends of the Pound’s new animal pound and rehoming centre at South Murwillumbah.”

“The $1 million in funding from the Albanese Labor Government comes on top of a further $1.76m in federal funding for this vital project.

“The design and build of this new facility is in line with the latest in animal welfare guidelines and features new dog kennels, catteries and facilities for stockyard animals, which will replace council’s former pound.”