There are approximately 10,759 registered dogs in Noosa Shire.
That means about one in every five residents owns a registered dog. Noosa is well known for its quality of life and for many that includes owning and caring for a pet.
Noosa’s population has undergone noticeable changes in age group demographics. Between 2016 and 2021 the number of Noosa residents aged 65 and over went up from 16,804 to 20,272, a 21 per cent increase (ABS Census 2016 and 2021).
It is observable that many older residents are also pet owners for companionship. However, we cannot assume they are all pensioners who are eligible for discounted dog registration.
According to the 2021 census, there is a higher percentage of low income households in Noosa Shire than in South East Queensland and Queensland as a whole.
The overriding Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 states that the Act binds all persons and a local government may make a local law.
Yahoo News Australia recently published a statement: “while rules vary from state to state across Australia, in Queensland laws require that all dogs must be registered with their local council. Noosa takes the rule a step further and requires pet owners to renew their registration annually.”
The Act identifies the following:
Section 50. Duration of registration
(1) Registration of a dog is for the period of years fixed by resolution of the relevant local government for the dog.
(2) However, the period must not be more than three years.
Currently Noosa Council impose a one year registration period and an annual renewal requirement.
According to council’s website, the fee for registering a desexed dog in Noosa is $48.50, an entire dog costs $193.50 and for pensioners it is free for desexed dogs and $151.00 for entire dogs.
Generally speaking, dog owners are willing to pay a fair and reasonable registration fee for the provision of waste bags, maintenance of off-leash areas, and other dog-related endeavours.
The council’s local laws and environmental health manager has said in the media that payment is a legal requirement and helps keep dogs and the community safe.
The Act Section 52 states:
Registration fee must be fixed to give desexing incentive.
(1) This section applies to a relevant local government in fixing the registration fee for a dog usually kept or proposed to be kept in local government’s area.
(2) The local government must fix the fee to give the owner for the dog an incentive to desex it.
Noosa Council does provide a substantial incentive by charging a much lower fee for registering desexed dogs.
There have been system failures whereby owners have made online amendments to their details which have subsequently not been reflected on Council records. This can be very disturbing when a resident receives an overdue renewal infringement notice after having informed Council their dog has passed away. Council needs to ensure that contact details of all pet owners are current.
Discussions with council’s animal management section confirmed there are over 1000 dogs in Noosa Shire with unpaid registrations.
The fine for not renewing a dog registration is $309, plus the annual registration fee. With the escalating cost of living, this is a significant impost.
The Legislation makes no reference to penalties or fines for late renewal fees, which I understand is covered by a Noosa Council Local Law.
The Local Laws unit is about to begin looking at possible reasons for the increase in overdue registrations. Finding out the reasons is a priority.
There are a number of ways Noosa Council could improve the lives of dog owners.
1. The registration renewal requirements could be changed from one year to three years.
2. Council could ensure that contact details of all pet owners are current, for the purpose renewal notices being sent.
3. Council could ensure that renewal notices are sent out in a timely manner.
4. The Local Law needs to be reviewed taking into account current community sentiment and the cost of living crisis.
5. It would be timely to undertake another Noosa Customer Satisfaction survey.
CONCLUSION
In Appendix C of the Auditor General’s Regulating Animal Welfare Services Report 6: 2021-22, it clearly states that council needs to review its processes, enforcement outcomes and community feedback to ensure its practices are in line with legislation, best practice, and community expectations.
Council needs to ensure minimum prescribed standards are met but also consider the community benefits of pet ownership and cost of living imperatives.
Clearly there is scope within the legislation and council’s responsibilities to manage dog registrations and dog registration renewal fees in a more community focused manner which gives consideration to cost of living imperatives, demographics, community expectations and best practice.
