Update on draft Keeping of Animals policy

Northern Beaches Council recently put on public display its draft Keeping of Animals policy. This draft policy seeks to replace current policies that were adopted from the former Manly, Pittwater and Warringah Councils.

To date community comments include concerns about our proposals for keeping animals in the larger lot residential areas particularly in places like Elanora Heights and Bayview.

In some cases, large blocks of land are located within residential zones. The draft policy was not intended to exclude the keeping of horses (and the like) on large lot residential properties in these areas and we will be making changes to the policy before bringing it back to Council.

We are also looking to include an option for people to request consideration for unique circumstances where they can show that the keeping of their animal/s will not adversely affect their neighbours or wider community. As such, we are taking into account submissions around other animals such as chickens, bees etc.

We are committed to consulting with the local community on policy formulation and encourage submissions in response to our draft policy.

Submissions close Sunday 8 December 2019.

We expect that the amended draft Keeping of Animals Policy will go back to Council in March 2020.