THE City of Bayswater has lost its latest bid to stop cats from roaming the streets, but the council’s years of persistence appear to have finally paid off, with the Cook government committing to hand cat control powers to local governments.

A parliamentary committee last week rejected Bayswater’s proposed local law, which would have allowed rangers to fine owners whose cats strayed onto other people’s properties or wandered unrestrained in public. 

The Upper House backed the committee’s view, despite opposition from crossbench MPs.

Containment

But local government minister Hannah Beazley has now promised to amend WA’s Cat Act, clearing the way for councils to draft and enforce their own cat-containment laws.

“After listening to the community and the local government sector, I am pleased to let the community know that the Cook Labor government will amend the Cat Act to enable local governments to make and enforce local laws regarding cat containment,” Ms Beazley said.

“Our government has already made a start on the amendments to the Cat Act and I anticipate introducing the Amendment Bill in 2026. 

“If passed, the reforms will provide a framework for local laws which promote responsible cat ownership including cat containment — empowering individual councils to engage with their communities on these issues.”

Fremantle councillor Adin Lang, who has lobbied for years to give councils the power to contain cats, welcomed the announcement.

“It is very welcome, very positive news,” Mr Lang said, noting that he’d had to deal with four ministers before finally getting action.

He admitted there was some caution among campaigners, given past delays.

“In the debate in the Upper House this week the Liberals did point out that Labor made numerous promises to amend the policy and some of the promises are eight years old, so that’s in the back of our mind,” he said.

“But I am optimistic because it is such a simple ‘tick and flick’ piece of policy, and I’m now convinced that all levels of government can see that the community want this. 

“And they can see it’s popular so it’s an easy win.”

Public sentiment, he said, had been clear for years.

“If we go back to the review that they did in 2019, it was noted in there that changes needed to be made to the Cat Act and 73% of respondents in 2019 supported containment so that’s been there,” Mr Lang said.

“That’s where all the positive coverage that you’ve done and everyone else has done has I guess created an environment where decision-makers at the state level now feel comfortable to do something that perhaps was controversial.”

Mr Lang said campaigners would now wait and watch.

“We 100 per cent will be watching for this change and if it doesn’t happen, our group – and I’ve already spoken this morning – will be ready to mobilise to remind them of their promise. 

“We’re happy to take it easy for a bit, but we’re here waiting and watching.”

He credited grassroots supporters for shifting the debate.

Campaign

“Through this campaign we want to absolutely think we had ‘friends of’ groups, vets, community members coming and speaking at council and writing letters into the paper and commenting online. That support from the community got this over the line.”

In the Upper House, South West Labor MLC Jackie Jarvis said the reforms would build on work already being done by councils and community groups.

“These reforms will provide a framework for local laws, which will promote responsible cat ownership, including cat confinement, which will enable councils, if they wish, to engage with and respond to their communities’ issues,” Ms Jarvis said.

“I want to congratulate the many local governments and communities that are already taking practical steps to support responsible cat ownership. Bayswater is one council, with the support of its community, that has taken proactive steps.”

Legalise Cannabis MLC Brian Walker accused the government of dragging its feet while cats killed native wildlife in their millions.

“More than 30 per cent of Australian households have a pet cat, and those pet cats that are allowed to roam are responsible for the death of more than one million native animals across Australia every day,” Dr Walker said.

“Meanwhile, at least 40,000 cats are estimated to die on our roads each year. 

“Why is the Minister, and the committee for that matter, such a scaredy-cat when it comes to this common-sense request?

“This is the 23rd time that a local government has attempted to enact such a local law here in WA since 2014. 

“Bayswater’s proposed local law simply copies that of Northam, word for word, but is nonetheless being blocked.”

by STEVE GRANT