Proposed Cat Management Local Law

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Consultation has concluded

We're proposing to make a local law to control cats in certain natural areas. It also has provisions to outline and clarify the number of cats that can be kept without approval.


The purpose of the proposed local law is to provide the City of Fremantle with measures in addition to those under the Cat Act 2011 to control the keeping of cats.

The effect of the proposed local law is to make provisions about the keeping of cats, to control the number of cats that can be kept, the places where cats can be kept and prescribe areas in which cats are prohibited.


Why is this being proposed?

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 25 September 2019 a motion was raised including the recommendation that the City of Fremantle initiate the adoption of a Cat Management Local Law. Council supported this motion and requested the process of creating a City of Fremantle Cat Management Local Law be initiated.


Proposed cat prohibited areas

The proposed Cat Management Local Law will designate a number of natural areas as cat prohibited areas, in order to better protect biodiversity. The proposed 'cat prohibited areas' are:

  • Booyeembara Park
  • The Royal Fremantle Golf Course
  • The Fremantle Public Golf Course
  • Bathers Beach Reserve
  • Sir Frederick Samson Park
  • Cantonment Hill
  • Leighton Beach Reserve
  • Port Beach Reserve
  • Rocky Bay Reserve
  • North Fremantle Foreshore Reserve (including Prawn Bay)
  • South Beach Reserve
  • Hollis Park, Sandown Park and any other land within the boundary of the former South Fremantle landfill site

If any registered cat is captured in one of the proposed cat prohibited areas, the owner would be committing an offence and subject to a fine.

View the proposed areas below or download a copy by clicking here or from the document library.

Cat welfare provisions

The proposed local law would also carry over a number of existing provisions from the Health Local Laws 1997 to protect the welfare of cats. This includes requiring an application to the City to have more than 3 cats or to operate a cattery or cat management facility, and to meet basic welfare requirements.


How can I find out more?

To read a copy of the proposed local law, click here or visit the document library. Hard copies are also available at the City of Fremantle administration office at Fremantle Oval, 70 Parry St Fremantle.

You can also chat to us in person and view an example trap at one of our informal information sessions:

  • Saturday 7 December 2019, Booyeembara Park (near the lake) corner Montreal and Stevens St, Fremantle. Drop in anytime between 8.30am to 10.30am. Look for the City of Fremantle banner.

  • Saturday 7 December 2019, Point Direction Reserve (lawn area) 17 Direction Way, North Fremantle. Drop in anytime between 8.30am to 10.30am. Look for the City of Fremantle banner.


Please share your thoughts on the proposal below by 5:00pm Friday 20 March 2020 or attend one of the drop-in sessions.

We're proposing to make a local law to control cats in certain natural areas. It also has provisions to outline and clarify the number of cats that can be kept without approval.


The purpose of the proposed local law is to provide the City of Fremantle with measures in addition to those under the Cat Act 2011 to control the keeping of cats.

The effect of the proposed local law is to make provisions about the keeping of cats, to control the number of cats that can be kept, the places where cats can be kept and prescribe areas in which cats are prohibited.


Why is this being proposed?

At the Ordinary Council Meeting on 25 September 2019 a motion was raised including the recommendation that the City of Fremantle initiate the adoption of a Cat Management Local Law. Council supported this motion and requested the process of creating a City of Fremantle Cat Management Local Law be initiated.


Proposed cat prohibited areas

The proposed Cat Management Local Law will designate a number of natural areas as cat prohibited areas, in order to better protect biodiversity. The proposed 'cat prohibited areas' are:

  • Booyeembara Park
  • The Royal Fremantle Golf Course
  • The Fremantle Public Golf Course
  • Bathers Beach Reserve
  • Sir Frederick Samson Park
  • Cantonment Hill
  • Leighton Beach Reserve
  • Port Beach Reserve
  • Rocky Bay Reserve
  • North Fremantle Foreshore Reserve (including Prawn Bay)
  • South Beach Reserve
  • Hollis Park, Sandown Park and any other land within the boundary of the former South Fremantle landfill site

If any registered cat is captured in one of the proposed cat prohibited areas, the owner would be committing an offence and subject to a fine.

View the proposed areas below or download a copy by clicking here or from the document library.

Cat welfare provisions

The proposed local law would also carry over a number of existing provisions from the Health Local Laws 1997 to protect the welfare of cats. This includes requiring an application to the City to have more than 3 cats or to operate a cattery or cat management facility, and to meet basic welfare requirements.


How can I find out more?

To read a copy of the proposed local law, click here or visit the document library. Hard copies are also available at the City of Fremantle administration office at Fremantle Oval, 70 Parry St Fremantle.

You can also chat to us in person and view an example trap at one of our informal information sessions:

  • Saturday 7 December 2019, Booyeembara Park (near the lake) corner Montreal and Stevens St, Fremantle. Drop in anytime between 8.30am to 10.30am. Look for the City of Fremantle banner.

  • Saturday 7 December 2019, Point Direction Reserve (lawn area) 17 Direction Way, North Fremantle. Drop in anytime between 8.30am to 10.30am. Look for the City of Fremantle banner.


Please share your thoughts on the proposal below by 5:00pm Friday 20 March 2020 or attend one of the drop-in sessions.

Consultation has concluded
  • Local law now in force

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    The Cat Management Local Law 2020 has been gazetted and is now in force.

    For more information on requirements for pet ownership in the City, click here or visit fremantle.wa.gov.au/pets

  • Local law approved by Council

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    At the Ordinary Council Meeting of 13 May 2020 elected members voted unanimously to adopt the proposed Cat Management Local Law 2020. Further details can be found in the Council minutes available here or visit: fremantle.wa.gov.au/council/agendas-and-minutes

    The City will now prepare the local law for gazettal. The local law will come into effect 14 days after it is published in the State Government Gazette.

  • Council meeting

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    Thank you for your comments on the proposed Cat Management Local Law. We had nearly 700 visitors to the page and 78 submissions. Around 70 of the submitters supported the proposal, or the broader principle of restricting the movement of cats.

    The feedback we received has been compiled into a Community Engagement Report, which you can find in the document library or by clicking here.


    Next Steps

    The proposal will be recommended for adoption at the Ordinary Council Meeting on Wednesday, 13 May 2020.

    To view the agenda for this meeting, click here or visit fremantle.wa.gov.au/council/agendas-and-minutes

    Due to the novel coronavirus, Ordinary Council Meetings are currently being held by electronic means. You can still make a statement or ask a question which will be presented at the meeting.

    If you wish to contribute to this meeting, please email your comments/questions to agendasminutes@fremantle.wa.gov.au before 4 pm, Wednesday 13 May, and please state your full name and the item or subject of your submission in the email.

    For more information on providing input to a Council meeting, click here or visit fremantle.wa.gov.au/council/agendas-and-minutes

  • Submission period extended

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    The submission period for comments on the proposed Cat Management Local Law has been extended until 20 March 2020.

    While giving notice of the City’s intention to make a Cat Management Local Law 2020, the Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries (DLGSC) provided the City with advice that an amendment was needed to the draft local law that was considered to be a significant change. As a result, legislation states that the City will must begin the process of adoption again, including an additional comment period.

    All submissions which have already been received will continue to be included in the final determination.