weekender the western Thursday, March 24, 2016 • Issue 1245
www.westernweekender.com.au
Festival a major hit
PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
HEALTH & WELLBEING The best experts give you the advice you need p.61-66
Council takes a stand Circuses with exotic animals banned from Council owned land DALE DRINKWATER
Thousands flock to Penrith CBD p.58
PAC is bucking the trend p.3 IT’S A MIRACLE! Amazing win keeps Penrith’s cricket hopes alive p.80
ircuses with exotic animals have been banned from operating on Penrith City Council land in an historic move. Council this week voted to adopt their first circus policy, driven by Councillor Michelle Tormey, to exclude the use of Council land for the operation of circuses with such animals. However, it won’t stop circuses from operating on private land, with the Stardust Circus scheduled to begin this weekend at Penrith Paceway to go ahead as planned. Councillor Tormey said it’s not about stopping circuses from coming to town, but for Council to take a stand. “Children need to learn that it’s not OK to exploit wild animals for entertainment,” she said. “This Council can take an ethical position, as we know over the years Council has received a number of complaints and submissions.” Regulation for circuses is currently at the State Government level, in the hands of the Department of Primary Industries and the RSCPA. Upon Cr Tormey’s requests, Council agreed to adopt the new policy, and to write to the Minister for Primary Industries, Niall Blair, to advocate an amendment to current NSW Government standards. Deputy Mayor Ross Fowler was one of six who voted against Cr Tormey’s amendments, along with Marcus Cornish, Tricia Hitchen, Ben Goldfinch, Jim Aitken and Maurice Girotto.
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Story continues on » p. 9
Michelle Tormey is leading the fight against circuses with exotic animals. Digitally altered image
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