The key change in the draft Plan is the introduction of a 24‑hour cat confinement order - otherwise known as a cat curfew - across the Shire, which - if adopted - would make it an offence for a cat to roam beyond the boundaries of its owner’s property, while still allowing cats to spend time outdoors within those boundaries.

If adopted, Council will implement a 12‑month education and transition period before compliance action is enforced. Proposed education and transition actions include providing verbal and written information, guidance from Council officers, information on safe outdoor spaces, promotion of State Government campaigns, encouragement of cat de‑sexing, and increased engagement through social media, signage and local media.

A more compliance‑focused approach would only be applied after the transition period.

In addition to the proposed cat confinement order, updates to the draft Plan include the inclusion of pet statistics from the Agriculture Victoria Pet Census and the removal of duplicated operational information that is covered in other Council policies.

Beyond the cat curfew, no significant changes to Council’s current animal management practices are proposed.

A cat confinement order is already in place across in over half of Victorian councils, and Council has been considering the potential benefits of a cat curfew for some time.

We have also received consistent feedback from a wide range of community groups and community members asking for the introduction of a cat curfew.

A cat curfew is considered a practical way to:

• Protect native wildlife from cats
• Reduce nuisance behaviour
• Help keep cats safe from injury
• Reduce unwanted litters of kittens

Under the Domestic Animals Act, dogs are already required statewide to be contained to their owner’s property at all times and must not be allowed to roam.

Cats are treated differently under the Act. Section 25 allows councils to choose whether to introduce an order that makes it an offence for cats to be at large. The proposed cat curfew is Council using that existing power.

So in short, dogs are already covered by a statewide law, and the cat curfew would bring cats into a similar containment framework at the local level.

Through this engagement, community members can provide feedback on:

• The proposed introduction of a 24‑hour cat curfew, including support, concerns, or suggestions
• The draft Domestic Animal Management Plan as a whole, including Council’s approach to managing dogs and cats
• The education and transition approach, including the proposed 12‑month education period before compliance is enforced
• Any practical considerations Council should be aware of when implementing the Plan

All submissions received during the exhibition period will be reviewed and considered before the Plan is finalised.

Some aspects of animal management are set by State legislation and are not open to change through this consultation, including:

• Requirements under the Domestic Animals Act 1994
• Enforcement powers and penalties defined by legislation
• Matters relating to pets other than dogs and cats, including livestock, or native wildlife

While Council can adjust how services are delivered locally, it must operate within the legal framework set by legislation.