Council has identified a potential new location to house a proposed new animal shelter after being informed by Paws and Claws it had withdrawn from the sale of the approved Killaloe site.

Mayor Julia Leu said the proposed new 2.25-hectare site on Kylie’s Rd in Whyanbeel is classified as reserve on State Government trustee land which was formerly a sanitary waste depot.

“Council has been working extremely hard behind the scenes to identify a potential new site in case Paws and Claws elected not to proceed with the approved Killaloe site,” Mayor Leu said.

“While Council approved the Killaloe site for a new animal shelter subject to strict conditions, the decision by the Paws and Claws committee not to proceed due to the uncertainty of being able meet these conditions and the overwhelming opposition from local residents is understandable.

“It has obviously been a very emotive issue but right from the start Council has been committed to finding an outcome that benefits our communities and I’m glad our determination has paved the way for this opportunity.

“We have had preliminary discussions with the Department of Natural Resources and Mines which has indicated that future tenure on the Kylie’s Rd site is achievable and the next step is presenting this option to a Council meeting for consideration.”
Mayor Leu said a report would be prepared for Council to consider the new site and enable Paws and Claws to move forward with the development.

“The Kylie’s Rd site would be subject to environmental sampling and testing of the soil and groundwater and the development of a site management plan,” Mayor Leu said.

“But preliminary investigations suggest the site is suitable for an animal shelter.”
Paws and Claws president Michael Kerr was extremely grateful for the efforts of the Mayor and Council staff to source a new site.

“Unfortunately due to the uncertainty surrounding our ability to meet the strict conditions of the planning approval and the open hostility towards Paws and Claws shown by Killaloe residents, the committee has had to withdraw from the sale despite the fact the Development Application was unanimously supported by Council,” Mr Kerr said.

“But the efforts of the Mayor and Council staff over many months to work with Paws and Claws to find a suitable solution for housing homeless and abandoned animals in our Shire have been relentless which means a new animal shelter remains viable.

“Without their effort and expertise there was a real risk of Paws and Claws being forced to close which would result in hundreds of animals being dumped in the bush every year and our committee is very grateful to them for this support.

“The committee would also like to thank our members and many others in the community for their unwavering support and the encouragement they have given us over this very difficult period.”