By Tanya Steele
Fees for pet ownership have been raised significantly since the last financial year and Yarra Ranges residents recently questioned the council over the changes.
Pet registration fees were part of question time at the most recent Yarra Ranges council meeting on 9 April.
Yarra Valley resident Ms Belinda Bernadini said domestic animal registration fees have increased from $40.50 last year to $50 this financial year.
“Even with the sum payable to the Treasurer, these fees seem excessive,” she said.
Ms Bernadini said at her question time that based on current dog and cat registrations, Yarra Ranges receives over $1.5 million in private pet registration fees.
Timothy Lefel of Launching Place had previously asked the council how many dogs specifically are registered in the wards of the council and where the registration fees go in the council meeting on March 26.
Leanne Hurst, Director of Communities said at the March meeting that Yarra Ranges Council has 23,379 dogs registered across the municipality.
“Local councils are required to pay the Treasurer $4.39 for every cat and dog registration and $20 for every domestic animal business registration collected in each financial year (as at 1 July 2023),” she said.
Ms Bernadini asked how the council justifies a 23 per cent increase in these fees in one financial year and how is this providing good governance for the benefit and well-being of the community.
“Frankly, a 23 per cent increase is nothing more than legislative theft,” she said.
Chief executive officer Tammi Rose said in response to Ms Bernadini that pet registration is a legal requirement under the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
“The pet registration fees serve as a crucial source of funding for the council’s animal management services, ensuring the safety and well-being of pets and the community,” she said.
Cardinia Shire council charges $52 for both cats and dogs to register, while Knox council require for $58 for dogs and $52 for cats – all three councils have varying rates for desexed and other types of animals in a number of categories.
“By paying registration fees, pet owners not only comply with the legal requirements but also actively support initiatives aimed at marketing responsible pet ownership, including reuniting lost animals with their owners, managing dangerous breeds and addressing animal related concerns within the community.”
Ms Rose said that as part of the council’s commitment to maintaining these essential services, pet registration fees are subject to annual review to ensure that the council is able to meet the growing demands and costs associated with maintaining animal management services and our contracted pound services.
“The reviews involve an annual assessment of inflation indexation and fee benchmarking with comparable councils,” she said.
“The fees were adjusted as part of a council benchmarking exercise during the 2023 fee review process, and the fee structures were aligned to affect the average of the benchmarked councils.”
Ms Rose said she would also note that pensioner concession is applied and there’s no cost to register approved assistance dogs and guide dogs.
Residents in the Yarra Ranges LGA recently had their pet registrations due by Monday 10 April.
