Following two rounds of community consultation to develop new Animal Management By-Laws, City of Palmerston has released its Animal Management Policy.
 
The process of creating new Animal Management By-Laws began with community consultation in 2021, which was followed by a second round of community consultation in January and February 2024.

The By-Laws present an opportunity for the community to better understand their responsibilities around animal control and ownership. This leads to greater animal welfare outcomes and a safer City of Palmerston. Community safety and animal control is everyone’s responsibility.

Sentiment from Palmerston residents was positive overall, with feedback from the community resulting in some amendments to the By-Laws. The next step was formulating the policy associated with the By-Laws, which has been endorsed by Council at a special meeting on Wednesday 8 May 2024. Key aspects of the Animal Management Policy include: 

•    Compulsory registration for dogs and cats as of 1 September 2024. 
•    Compulsory microchipping for registered dogs and cats, with a six-month grace period from 1 September 2024.
•    Residents can have up to two dogs and two cats per property without a licence.
•    Domestic livestock and poultry owners must apply for an 8-character Property Identification Code.

City of Palmerston Mayor, Athina Pascoe-Bell acknowledges the community participation throughout the process of enacting new By-Laws so far. "It has been an incredibly comprehensive process to develop the new Animal Management By-Laws, and we are proud of the work that has been done in collaboration with the community and stakeholders.”

"As the By-Laws rolls out from 1 July, so too will Council policies. The policies go hand in hand with the By-Laws, and allow Council to work better with the community’s changing needs. We welcome feedback on the Animal Management Policy,” she said.
 
The community are encouraged to join the conversation by providing feedback via email or over the phone until 4 June 2024. The new By-Laws are scheduled to be implemented on 1 July 2024.

For more information, visit palmerston.nt.gov.au/by-law-review