Knox Local Law review survey closes March 9th https://haveyoursay.knox.vic.gov.au/LocalLawReview Speak up about limiting pet numbers, forcing fencing, ineffective measures, outdoor lighting, unsightly land, overgrowth, burnoffs without permit, residents to clear drains and roads themselves, and rules of behaviour toward council staff.
The biggest question is why Knox chooses more debt, when there is a solution to save?
Knox Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 - more for dogs, nothing to help cats. On 23rd February, Knox councillors passed the Domestic Animal Management 2026-2029 draft plan.
Animal Management Officers are to scour pet sales, go door-knocking and entering private properties, looking for unregistered animals. Remember they cannot enter your house, only your yard. An Animal Management Officer tells us that Council cannot prove an unregistered dog or cat is yours, unless you say that it is.
Desexing of Knox dogs only, is actioned, to be given 'additional funding' in Knox budget. There is no law requiring Knox registered dogs to be desexed. Knox law requires all registered cats to be desexed.
Knox dogs are to be given two years of funded free dog-training in parks. Knox unleashed dogs already enjoy over 300 parks, reserves and sportsfields, as well as four dog-parks. Also the annual non-inclusive 'Pets in the Park' party - paid for by dog and cat registrations.
Council claims no money in their budget for cats. When Knox is already paying more to impound homeless cats, mostly kittens, than community cat desexing would cost.
Biodiversity officers are to report on any cats seen in parks.
Motion 187 has made even greater inequality between Knox dogs and cats. Governance changed the councillor wording, removing intent, and reducing cats to nothing, while more money is spent on dogs. Motion 187's cat desexing/Community Cat Program 'trial' is inactioned - reduced to a only a paper report due in December 2026. Spending a year on writing only, no physical cat desexing, Australian Pet Welfare Foundation's Jennifer Cotterell has already made a feasibility costed report for Knox. Knox DAMP 2026-2029 demonstrates no active effective approach, no care for felines.
DAMP has no action to give residents Australian Pet Welfare Foundation science-proven evidence helping both dogs and cats.
Knox Council is in great debt, selling off assets, borrowing more, but has refused a solution to lower Council costs.
Only Community Cat Program targeted intensive desexing works. Knox DAMP targets registered cat owners for punishment. Refusing to help the 85percent of cats in most-need of desexing and homes, refusing help for rescuers, carers, and renters.
Knox follows both Yarra Ranges and Casey's failed expensive plans. Casey's 24/7 cat curfew costs an estimated $1.83 million annually, and has driven up impoundments by 680percent.
I tried to ask public questions but was shut down by Knox Mayor. 23 Feb 2026 Minutes item 7 Question 3 1&2. Council does not need more budget money to run a Community Cat Program - it costs less than Council is already paying. https://www.knox.vic.gov.au/our-council/councillors-and-meetings/council-meetings/agenda-and-minutes/current-agendas-and-minutes