Darwin council votes to see cats kept on leashes in the new suburb of Muirhead

DARWIN council has voted in favour of alderman Robin Knox’s proposal to only allow cats out on streets on a leash or in a cage

Darwin council has voted in favour of alderman Robin Knox’s proposal to only allow cats out on streets on a leash or in a cage

UPDATE: Darwin council has voted in favour of alderman Robin Knox’s cat containment strategy, which would see existing laws enforced in the developing suburb of Muirhead.

The laws prohibit cats from being outside their property unless they are held on a leash or are in a cage.

While a suggestion was made the policy should take place over the entire municipality, alderman Knox said it was important to educate people moving into council’s area and jurisdiction.

“I have chosen to state new developments because I do feel it may be confusing for people who already live in other suburbs,” she said.

“Initially I’m asking for it to be applied (in Muirhead) … in future we can educate further suburbs.”

EARLIER: CATS could only be allowed out on the streets on a leash or in a cage in Muirhead if one Darwin alderman has her way.

Alderman Robin Knox will propose a “cat containment policy” at Tuesday night’s council meeting, saying the introduction of a new suburb is the perfect time to do so.

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“Council by-laws require all cats in the municipality to be registered and not to leave the owner’s property unless under effective control (caged or on lead),” Alderman Knox said. “The development of new suburbs provides the opportunity for public education of the application of a cat containment policy and for council to apply the policy from the establishment of the new suburbs.”

Alderman Knox said while the by-laws existed, it was difficult to enforce them and most residents were unaware they existed or how they worked.

“Without a cat containment policy it is difficult for council to enforce these by-laws,” she said.

“The policy would serve to clarify the public’s understanding of containment methods.”

Many houses within Muirhead are owned by Defence Housing Australia.

DHA will not agree to a complete ban on cats in the suburb as it would create difficulties transferring cat-loving Defence personnel to Darwin.

Alderman Knox said her “containment policy” would be the next best thing.

The reserve is home to many mammals, native birds, reptiles and amphibians, she said.

Environmental Protection Service NT manager Peter Pitcher said Muirhead cats free to roam could create havoc for native wildlife.

Mr Pitcher said there was no reason for cats to roam while dogs were kept locked in yards or leashed.

“There are options for cat owners,” he said.

“In other places people use cat runs and build cat shelves, just somewhere for your cat to get around inside.

“There’s not any need for your cat to be outside.”

Council will tonight deliberate as to whether to conduct a cat population survey at the Lee Point Coastal Conservation Area using camera traps.

The survey would determine how many domestic, stray and feral cats roam the area.