Central Coast cat curfew to be investigated by council

Cats roaming at night could soon be locked in as Central Coast Council investigates a cat curfew.

Central Coast Council is investigating bringing in a cat curfew.

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A cat curfew across the Central Coast is being investigated by Central Coast Council.

Councillors voted to press ahead with a review into a potential curfew for domestic cats across the region at this week’s meeting.

The curfew debate has been raging for many years, with cats a major predator for native wildlife, especially when they are allowed to roam the streets at night.

Regent Honeyeater Recovery Team Central Coast representative Allan Benson said the move was a win but the council has to keep moving forward.

A picture of a cat with its bird in its mouth taken recently in Blue Haven. Picture: Supplied

Cats were seen stalking endangered Regent Honeyeaters. Picture: supplied

“It’s a win-win for cats and the environment,” Mr Benson said.

“This is the first step but it’s a really important step. There’s a lot more work that needs to be done before it comes to fruition.”

Mr Benson said the presence of predatory cats was highlighted at the Nelmes Rd Constructed Wetland in Blue Haven recently when four critically endangered Regent Honeyeaters were sighted.

“Bird watchers and photographers went up to see them and saw two cats stalking them,” he said.

“The point is cats are instinctive hunters. Feral cats hunt for food but domestic cats hunt for fun. They mostly hunt at night.”

Allan Benson. Picture: Mark Scott

Mr Benson said confined cats had a life expectancy of 18 years, while wild cats and cats that are allowed to roam only live for two to five years.

“They are often hit by cars, attacked by dogs or pick up diseases such as cat flu and FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus),” he said.

At the recent Local Government Conference, a resolution was passed for changes to the companion animals act to prohibit cats from roaming.

Cr Greg Best, who chairs the council’s companion animals committee, said the State Government needed to change the legislation.

Cats would remain inside under cat curfew legislation.

“We as a committee have been dealing with this issue and looking for a report on what’s going on in other states,” he said.

Mr Benson said he was working on potential solutions and ideas for being able to police a curfew.

“In theory it’s simple, in practice it’s impossible,” he said.

“You’ve got to trap cat to read microchip, however you are not allowed to trap cats.”

“Local council need to be on the front foot with this.”