DOG ATTACKS

By SARAH WATERS

RANGERS at Tweed

Shire Council are urging dog owners to keep their pets under control following the death of a beloved pet.

On May 6, council rangers investigated a fatal attack on a small dog that was killed by two dogs at Tweed Heads.

The attacking dogs have since been surrendered to Council.

This year, 16 dog attacks have been investigated by council rangers.

A total of 119 incidents were reported to Council last year.

Ranger Kristian Pakula said the number of dog attacks was worrying, as it not only impacts the safety of the local community, but because it shows people are not getting the message.

“Dog owners need to ensure their animals are always under effective control,” Mr Pakula said.

“Residents and visitors to the Tweed need to understand the importance of keeping their dogs on leads at all times, unless in a designated off-leash area.

“Council is urging residents to understand that under NSW legislation, the owner or person in control of a dog is liable for the actions of that dog.

“This includes where a dog rushes at, attacks, harasses, or chases any person or animal, as well as liability for any resulting injury to a person or damage to property.

“In addition, your dog may be declared menacing or dangerous, requiring it to be muzzled and wear an identifying dangerous dog collar while in public, and kept within a specific enclosure while at home.

“Our rangers will continue to remain extra vigilant to ensure dogs are on leash, so please do the right thing or face a fine.”

The Companion Animals Act requires that dogs in a public place must be under the effective control of a competent person by means of an adequate chain, cord or leash that is attached to the dog and held by the person.

The fine for not having a dog under control is $330.

Failing to take all reasonable precautions to prevent a dog from escaping from the property on which it is being kept is also an offence.

If you are ever in immediate danger from an aggressive animal, call the police on Triple 0.

If you are the victim of a dog attack, please report it to Council immediately on 02 6670 2400. By not reporting it at the time, you may be putting the community at risk.

For more information on dangerous dogs, visit dangerous and restricted dogs on Council’s webpage.

If you are concerned about your animal’s behaviour, speak to your vet or an animal behaviour specialist.

By TIM HOWARD

Yamba residents dismayed at the news a DA of a 216-home development in West Yamba say their views and experience of flooding in the area have been ignored.

A residents group, Yamba Community Action Network, has written to Clarence Valley Council asking the council to remedy this with a survey of residents about their experiences.

The group’s chair, Col

Shepherd, said Coffs Harbour City Council had provided a template for the council to follow with a survey it undertook for residents in the Moonee Creek catchment area.

“A similar survey of residents living on the Yamba floodplain is of paramount importance to be included in the current Flood Study and Model, particularly not only in relation to riverine flooding but stormwater flooding during February/March 2022 which occurred two days prior to the Clarence River flood crest reaching Yamba,” Mr Shepherd said in the letter.

“Yamba CAN Inc requests CVC undertake such a survey and the results be considered in the formulation of the current Flood Study and Model.”

Mr Shepherd said there were concerns the experiences of the older people who had lived in the area prior to the intensive urban development, had not been considered.

“They’re not asking older people, who saw how the behaviour of the floods have changed as more and more fill has been dumped in the area,” he said.

He said the survey would do more than describe the floods.

“As you would be aware, ‘flooding’, though devastating, is not just ‘flooding’,” he said.

“Road closures, road damage, inability to access critical services (food, healthcare, mental healthcare, and wellbeing services), school closures, separation from family and loved ones and the trauma associated with isolation and loss all add to the devastating impact of severe inundation events.”

At its last meeting the council voted down a notice of motion from deputy Mayor Cr Greg Clancy seeking to have vacant land on the floodplain rezoned to halt development on the floodplain.

Most councillors were sympathetic to the aims of his NOM, but preferred to wait for imminent updates of the State Government flood manual and council flood modelling.

But residents had concerns this modelling would not include experiences of the recent floods the community had gathered.

YambaCAN secretary Lynne Cairns said a study, similar to the Coffs Harbour example, would provide residents the opportunity to have their say and present evidence they had gathered.

The site of the proposed development for 120 Carrs Dr, West Yamba, was under water for days during the 2022 flood event.

On its northern boundary is the Clifton Yamba Over-55s Lifestyle Resort, which is under construction.

It came to council earlier this month from The Trustee for Yamba Land Trust.

The DA was for 216 homes on the 16.2ha site, estimated to be worth nearly $80 million. The lot sold in April 2001 for $230,000. Twenty years later it changed hands for $5.3 million.

Council staff were assessing the merits of the DA, which should come to a council meeting soon.