News

Yarra Council endorses introduction of night-time cat curfew

17 October 2023

At our most recent Council Meeting on Tuesday 10 October 2023, Council endorsed some changes to the Council Order.

The changes form part of the Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) actions adopted in 2021 and reflect our dedication to responsible pet ownership and the safeguarding of local wildlife.

Thanks to everyone who participated in the consultation process, which played an important role in shaping the future of pet management in Yarra for the benefit of the entire community and the local ecosystem.

The results from our recent Your Say Yarra consultation indicated 75% of survey responses supported the introduction of a night-time cat curfew. The introduction of a night-time cat curfew is a significant highlight of the endorsed changes.

Effective from Monday 1 January 2024, cat owners within Yarra will be required to keep their pet cats within their property between 7pm and 7am.

This measure also aligns Yarra with several inner-city councils that have either introduced or are contemplating similar cat curfew measures.

Further endorsed changes to the Council Order include:

  • Strengthening the control of dogs and cats in public spaces to mitigate environmental harm and nuisance.
  • Updating Clause 5 of the Council Order to clearly outline pet owner responsibilities in designated off-leash areas, ensuring no damage to sporting fields and requiring dogs to be leashed during maintenance operations by the Council or contractors.
  • The inclusion of O'Connell Reserve in Schedule 1 of the Council Order as a designated off-leash area, and the reclassification of Cairns Reserve to a leash-required park from a previously prohibited park for dogs.

You can read more about this project by heading to our Your Say Yarra page.