City of Palmerston is pleased to release its new Animal Management By-Laws for community consultation.

Previous feedback from consultation in 2021 has been considered to create new By-Laws that reflect the expectations of our community in relation to safety and wellbeing, balanced with effective and modern animal management practices.

As a result of this feedback, the main elements of the new By-Laws include:

• Embracing modern and contemporary practices based on community expectations;
• Provisions for management and ownership of cats and other animals;
• A review of prescribed penalties in relation to offences;
• Improvements to licensing requirements and the registration of dangerous animals; and
• Compulsory microchipping for cats and dogs.

The new By-Laws have been developed and are now ready for final feedback from the community, with the first public information session to be held on 17 January at Bakewell Dog Park from 5:30 to 6:45pm. 

City of Palmerston Mayor, Athina Pascoe-Bell recognises that new, contemporary Animal Management By-Laws are required for Palmerston. "We have worked with government and utilised previous community feedback to develop modern By-Laws that we think will move us forward as a community to live in harmony with all animals and promote better animal ownership and care.”

"The new By-Laws are key in assisting City of Palmerston to create a positive and safe environment for animals as well as reducing the risk to the community of nuisance or dangerous animal behaviour. We'd now like to inform the community of key changes and invite any further feedback,” she said.

Community consultation opens on 15 January and closes 12 February 2024. The community can attend one of our information sessions or visit our website to provide feedback. Following this consultation, the By-Laws are scheduled to be implemented on 1 July 2024.

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

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