OVERWHELMING community support to have three cat-free zones in the City of Swan could see local laws reviewed by the middle of next year.
After the Ellenbrook Landscaping Committee identified Morning Park, Moulton Wetland Park and Woodlake Park as potential no-go zones for cats, residents within a 500m radius of each site were sent a survey asking for their feedback.
Almost 80 per cent of respondents around Moulton Wetland Park agreed it should be cat free.
Seventy-seven per cent agreed to designate Woodlake Park as a cat prohibited area and 76 per cent of respondents didn’t want cats at Mornington Park.
Due to the strong community support, a local law amendment will be put out for public comment later this year as part of the City’s Local Law review.
It is anticipated that the review of the Local Laws will be finalised by June, 2011.
City of Swan acting chief executive Colin Cameron said the strong community push for cat free zones was to protect native wildlife.
“Part of the push for the cat-free reserves came from residents living near Mouton Wetland who believe the number of ground-feeding birds such as the blue fairy wrens and the yellow-rumped thornbills has diminished,” he said.
“Woodlake Park has many species of waterfowl which breed on the lake and are particularly susceptible to cat predation.
“These pockets of bushland are stepping stones in the seasonal migrations of native birds.
“They are havens for birds and marsupials such as quenda or the brown bandicoot, but unfortunately the native wildlife doesn’t have the instinct to defend itself against cats.”
He encouraged cat owners to keep their pets in an enclosed yard.
Cat Haven spokeswoman Jessica Reid said the cat refuge organisation supported the move to create three cat prohibited reserves within the City of Swan.
She said it wasn’t the first time a council had made the decision.
“City of Stirling has parks and reserves that cats are prohibited from,” she said.
“Cat Haven supports cats being kept away from wildlife reserves. Not only is it important to protect the local flora and fauna in these areas, but it is also important for the cats’ welfare as it protects them from snakes.”
Ms Reid said action needed to be taken to introduce cat control legislation.
“There is definitely a call in the community for cat control legislation,” she said.