April 2023

WHAT'S THE CONSULTATION ABOUT?

In South Australia, the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 provides for the management of dogs and cats in the community. The objectives of the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995 are to:

Encourage responsible dog and cat ownership.
Reduce public and environmental nuisance caused by dogs and cats.
Promote the effective management of dogs and cats.

Section 26A of the Act, requires all Councils to produce a Plan of Management relating to dogs and cats within their local area every five years.

Council is reviewing and updating its Animal Management Plan (the Plan). It is vital that Council knows what is important to the community when it comes to animal management in their area. The draft Animal Management Plan 2024-2028 will focus on priorities as set by the community and provide a framework for Council to deliver activities, services and programs supporting cats, dogs and their owners as well as the whole community over the next five years. It will also aim to support and encourage responsible dog and cat ownership.

Together with key stakeholders and the community the Plan needs to consider the relevant animal management activities, responsibilities, issues and opportunities applicable to the Adelaide Hills Council area. The Animal Management Plan will be a great opportunity to investigate the potential for a dog pound to service the Adelaide Hills Council and interested neighbouring Councils as well as any other new initiatives raised throughout this consultation process.

The Plan will be developed recognising the uniqueness of the Council area which covers a large, predominantly rural area of 795.1 square kilometres. As seen in the map tool below there will likely be variations in ideas, issues and concerns in the differing areas of the council region, including across the northern, central and southern areas.

Animal ownership is an integral part of the Adelaide Hills community and the benefits of responsible pet ownership for community wellbeing needs to be balanced carefully with protecting the local biodiversity of the area.

WHAT CAN YOU SHARE WITH US?

What dog and cat related issues you are experiencing or are aware of and where
What solutions or opportunities you think are possible to reduce the risk of the issues
How issues and possible solutions could be prioritised

Feedback will be considered in several phases throughout the year and will help inform the development of the Draft Animal Management Plan.

You can get involved using any of the tools at the bottom of this page

It can be as simple as popping a pin on the map tool below at the location where you believe there is an issue and tell us a bit about it. You can also see what other people have raised as issues.
Provide your feedback via the feedback form with some extra questions to provide us with more details.
Register to be a part of one of our three online Q&A webinars or face to face opportunity.
Or contribute to all of the above - it's up to you!

HOW CAN I PROVIDE MY FEEDBACK?

Preferably using any or all of the online tools below including the online feedback form and map tool.
Sending an email to engage@ahc.sa.gov.au
Writing a letter to Community Engagement Coordinator, Adelaide Hills Council, 63 Mount Barker Road, Stirling SA 5152
Phoning 8408 0400
Collecting a hardcopy information sheet and feedback form from any Council Service Centre or Library at Stirling, Gumeracha or Woodside
Register below our online Q&A webinars 27 April | 7.30pm

All feedback provided at each phase of this project will be considered and will help build the draft Animal Management Plan for presentation to Council.

Consultation closes 4pm, Tuesday 2 May 2023