Feral cats creep closer to inclusion in pest plan

MAX FRETHEY

Local Democracy Reporter

Feral cats are one step closer to being targeted as a recognised pest in the regional pest management plan.

Nelson City Council last week approved the animals for consideration for inclusion in the plan, following in the steps of Tasman District Council who approved the move in June.

“Any area where we’re making efforts to re-establish New Zealand’s forest and wildlife close to urban areas, there’s potential for problems from feral cats and it is handy to have some tool to address that,” Nelson councillor Aaron Stallard said.

Feral cats are of particular concern in the Nelson Halo – a trapping and habitat enhancement area outside the predator-free Brook Waimārama Sanctuary that provides a greater safe haven for native wildlife.

The only area in Nelson-Tasman where feral cats are trapped on local authority-controlled land is in a relatively small area around the Waimea Inlet – a focal point for many restoration and biodiversity enhancement projects.

However, the Department of Conservation also conducts feral cat trapping on conservation land, like in the Nelson Lakes National Park where feral cats have decimated the kea population.

If feral cat control is pursued across Nelson-Tasman, it is likely to focus on other specific ecologically-sensitive sites, rather than being addressed in blanket approach across the two districts. However, Nelson councillor Matthew Benge highlighted that it’s not just feral cats that cause damage to the ecosystem.

“It’s just cats. There isn’t any question about what they do,” he said. “If we want to be serious about this, we need to do something about cats.”

Nelson Mayor Nick Smith agreed that the “next logical step” would be to explore a cat control bylaw, though he added that council staff were waiting on greater guidance on cat management from central government.

Tasman District Council staff are currently putting together a report for elected members to consider a cat management bylaw.

Gillian Bishop, chair of the Tasman Environmental Trust – the organisation that does the trapping around the Waimea Inlet – has said that microchipping is vital in tell- ing trapped feral cats apart from domestic cats and would welcome a comprehensive cat management bylaw.

“Microchipping and registration are readily accepted by the community, and desexing would be a really good move as well to reduce the population.”

Scott Burnett, Forest and Bird’s regional conservation manager for the Top of

Community grant applications go online

Local community organisations and individuals are being encouraged to get their applications in for Network Tasman Trust’s annual grants - and this year the process is even easier.

Applications for the grants opened on 22 July and close next week, on 25 August.

Every year the trust gives away around $120k to local community organisations and individuals through the Peter Malone Community Grant. This year, the trust has launched a new website, which makes the application process even easier, with everything able to be done online.

Network Tasman Trust chair, Gwenny Davis, says the trustees agreed it was important to make the process as “seamless as possible” for people and is looking forward to the “incredibly rewarding” next stage.

“The trustees see it as a great privilege to be able to provide much-needed funds to local community projects.” the South, added that introducing a bylaw would help change peoples’ attitude on cat ownership.

In 2022, the trust gave $160k to more than 80 groups and individuals.

“That’s not a magic bullet in itself, but… making microchipping mandatory makes it that much easier for conservation groups.”

“Reviewing those applications, we just can’t be anything but humbled and impressed by the amount of mahi that countless numbers of people contribute to support others and enrich our community,” adds Gwenny. “It’s incredibly rewarding and inspiring and we’re looking forward to doing it all again this year. This time, with a shiny new website for applicants to use.”

The entire process is now online. Successful applicants will also be able to complete their accountability form online, too. Network Tasman Trust’s five grant categories are social support services; sport and recreation, education, art and culture, environmental, and energy saving. To apply, go to www.networktasmantrustgrants.org.nz