PINGELLY, WA — The Shire of Pingelly is set to introduce a bold new cat containment law this Friday, making it the latest local government in Western Australia to attempt stricter rules on domestic cats — and perhaps the one most likely to succeed.
Over the past decade, 23 local councils in WA have tried to introduce permanent cat containment measures. Most of these efforts have been blocked by a state parliamentary committee that reviews local laws under the state’s Cat Act. Only two councils — Northam and Narrogin — have succeeded, and experts say those cases slipped through due to inconsistent legal interpretations.
Now, Pingelly, located southeast of Perth, is taking a new approach. Its new “Save the Numbats” law closely mirrors Narrogin’s 2016 rules and uses a legal clause known as “Clause 82,” which allows one council to adopt another’s law. The aim is to protect the area’s native wildlife, including numbats, woylies, pygmy possums, and other vulnerable species that fall prey to roaming cats.
“There are only about 2,000 numbats left in the wild,” said Pingelly chief executive Andrew Dover. “Once they’re gone, they’re gone. This is about preserving our native animals — and protecting our cats, too.”
The new law doesn’t just require cats to be contained. It also limits households to owning two cats, with the option to apply for more. The council is also exploring grants to help residents build outdoor cat enclosures, or “catios.”
According to Dover, community support for the law has been strong. “We’ve advertised similar laws three times now. Not a single objection has come in,” he said. “People here and wildlife groups elsewhere have backed us.”
A previous version of the law was rejected due to a technicality in advertising requirements. But this time, the shire has legal advice confirming the new law complies with the Cat Act.
“If it’s disallowed again, we’re ready to take it to the Upper House for a full debate,” Dover said. “That’s the current consensus among councillors.”
Bruce Webber, executive of the WA Feral Cat Working Group, called Pingelly’s approach “bold and visionary.” He said it would take a brave politician to reject a well-supported, evidence-based law aimed at saving one of WA’s most iconic species.
The state parliamentary committee that has previously blocked similar laws is currently undergoing reform under the new government. A new membership is expected to be announced this week, though the committee’s first meeting likely won’t happen until next month. That means Pingelly’s law will remain in effect for now.
Webber said the original 2011 Cat Bill clearly intended to allow local councils to create cat containment rules, and legal experts agree. He criticized the committee’s past refusal to seek guidance from the State Solicitor’s Office, something that could change with its new leadership.
“This refresh creates the opportunity for long-overdue change,” he said, pointing to a 2019 public survey where 73% of respondents supported permanent cat containment laws.
If the new committee does not disallow Pingelly’s law, it could pave the way for other councils, including the City of Bayswater, which recently had its own cat law rejected.
“In the past, councils gave up when the committee said no,” Webber said. “But Pingelly is standing firm. If this goes to the Upper House, it will be the first time the full Parliament debates one of these laws. And this is a very different Parliament now.”
“They believe they’re doing the right thing — and they’re prepared to fight for it.”
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