MANDURAH deputy Mayor Caroline Knight wants the council to explore options to improve outcomes for threatened species after the impact of a cat on Mandurah’s fairy tern nesting site.
Cr Knight said the incident highlighted the concern many people had about the protection of native species from cats.
She will present a notice of motion to next Tuesday’s council meeting asking that a working group be formed, including relevant staff, up to two members of Mandurah Environmental Advisory Group and interested councillors, to identify opportunities to reduce the impact of cats on native species.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOWThe group would investigate lobbying for improvements to State and Federal laws regarding cat management, collaboration with the WA Local Government Association and other local governments for a practical and effective local law and the designation and protection of environmentally sensitive locations.
Cr Knight also wants the council to undertake a review of the outcomes of the fairy tern sanctuary.
She said that, via State legislation, the council had been responsible for cat management for a number of years.
As part of the community’s drive to protect the natural environment, the issue of cats and their impact on the environment should be considered.
The working group would focus on immediate action on improvement to cat management.