Council plans to soon make 24-hour-cat-curfew into a Local Law. Likely in the February 2022 Council Meeting.
Two Councillors are Landlords: https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-10/Personal%20Interest%20Return%20-%20Public%20Summary%20-%20Returns%20to%2030%20Sep%202021.pdf In March 2020 renters finally won the right to keep their pets. Landlords have to pay a fee and go to court, VCAT*, to refuse a pet. They cannot reasonably refuse a Pet Request - unless there is a municipality Local Law.
Two Councillors have personal interest. They did not tell the public. Overriding Knox renters' right for a cat, effectively disabling the Residential Tenancies Act on Pets if the pet is a cat. If a tenant applies for a dog, landlords cannot reasonably refuse. The Residential Tenancies Act requires VCAT application to refuse. This 24-hour-cat-curfew appears to accord landlords reason to refuse, either to avoid VCAT and save court fees, or to have a VCAT application struck out, dismissed, withdrawn, saving costs and time - effectively excluding Knox cats from Pets rights in the Tenancies Act. Making it too hard for Knox renters to own a cat.
Since 2017 the State Government worked for this law, recognising cats as members of our families. What renter can afford cat enclosures, or live inside a home prison - how is this reasonable? Or making a law that hides complainants' identities, and denies cat-owners equal rights in the community?
Both Councillors denied any community consultation on 24-hours, outspokenly voting for it in June; and again in August 2021 to prevent a survey, costing less than ‘$10 each’ per registered cat-owner.
If a Councillor has a Conflict of Interest, the law allows a General Exemption if acting In Common with a large class of other persons with the same interest - such as a group of Knox landlords. p15 https://www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0032/164696/2012-Conflict-of-Interest-Guide-Councillors-Oct-2012-.pdf
Less than 20% of Knox registered cats are deemed ‘nuisance’, and cat complaints are 1/3 of the dog complaints in Knox. The over 80percent of homeless, impounded cats cannot pay, and the poorest owners and renters will bear the highest fines. Why make a law without evidence of efficacy for Council statements? Knox Council has quoted ‘experts’ without any expertise, and are removing basic rights from a minority group. Some councillors state bio-diversity is their aim, yet have voted to give developers permits to destroy habitat and neighbourhood character. Honest people do not deny community consultation and fudge figures. Some are over-ruling for their own interest, instead of serving the whole community.
Native animals and bird habitat are being decimated by overdevelopments. Power-brokers blame the voiceless, make incorrect statements, and pass laws for personal profit. Like wolves at the door, using a pandemic to prey.
Cat-owners know service is unselfish action - not self-serving lip-service. Caging is cruel - imprisonment is not living. Cities without heart, without honesty, are killers. Some see felines as female, to over-power and abuse. Dog and cat owners pay annual registrations, for which Knox dogs receive many returns, and this law ensures cat-owners will receive no benefit at all - cat regos even pay for the yearly dog party Pets in the Park, while cats cannot participate. In Knox, pooches go shopping, run free in 300plus parks, while pussies pay for imprisonment, punishment and put-downs. Does Knox Council want dog-obedience-school for all residents? Promoting cat-blaming and cat genocide, the city of hard Knox without cats. What small animal as a cat can survive human contract-killer hunters? Why are some Knox Councillors using their positions at great cost and damage to the community, for their personal interest?
Cat Lives Matter! Respect for Felines. Caging Cats, and owners, Is Cruel.
Tenants Victoria, Pets: https://tenantsvic.org.au/advice/during-your-tenancy/pets-and-your-tenancy/
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews on why the Residential Tenancies Act was changed to recognise cats as family members:
2017: https://www.facebook.com/DanielAndrewsMP/photos/pets-are-part-of-my-familyand-no-family-should-have-to-give-away-their-littlest-/1548406938557170/ https://twitter.com/danielandrewsmp/status/927416865751568384
2020: https://m.facebook.com/DanielAndrewsMP/posts/2910057212392129?locale2=de_DE
27 Dec 2021 article on Pets in rentals https://www.realestate.com.au/news/pets-in-rentals-victoria-how-reform-has-fared-almost-two-years-on/
*VCAT is the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal
No news yet from the Ombudsman. Knox Council thinks it is untouchable, beyond any watchdog. We hope for accuracy, accountability and honest process to prevail.
Council Meeting Monday 31st January 2022, at 7pm. Our cats are not in January's meeting Agenda - watch for February’s Agenda (it is stated to be online five days before, but Council put January’s up only one business-day before the meeting.) https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/our-council/councillors-and-meetings/council-meetings/agenda-and-minutes/current-agendas-and-minutes
Online live http://webcast.knox.vic.gov.au/video.php afterwards in Archived media.
Love your fur family!