2 thoughts on “Animal Management Plan #17”

1. Thanks Kev, I share your reservations. I won’t be supporting this request for two simple reasons.

   Our pro-native animal stance: This is a moment in our history when many local native species are under unprecedented threat from diminishing habitat and restricted natural movement. Amongst the many players in the local conservation scene, Goolawah has a reputation as being an important supporter of pro-wildlife initiatives. We are the recipient of Landcare and LLS grants intended to best support native animal populations, and we are a recognised koala hotspot and the Koala Hospital has written to the community commending our 20 year long commitment to ‘no dogs’. At such a crucial moment, when many outsiders look up to us as an example of best practice in wildlife conservation, why would we suddenly decide to allow the introduction of pest species like rabbits or ferrets? Either we’re serious about protecting the unique environment we have here, or we give up, hand back the grants, and admit that we’re only capable of suburban sensibilities. I hope you, as my fellow members, have chosen to live on Goolawah precisely because of its uniqueness, and are not ready to trade that uniqueness in just so that one member can have the pet suburbia would allow them.

   Transparency: When a community has a clear and longstanding ‘no cats/dogs/ introduced species’ bylaw, and you hope to be given permission to be an exception, the proper way to do that is to ask first. When Adam & Shantell completed their membership process, they ticked the box that says they accept the community’s bylaws, but since joining they’ve brought a dog, cat, and unapproved introduced species onto Goolawah, all without seeking permission first. Even when explicitly asked by the directors, they have delayed submitting an AMP for many months, and refused to answer direct questions about the cat. Even this AMP feels disingenuous – claiming that the ferret “does not leave the house except for a short walk on a leash on our site if he requests for one” when members have reported seeing the ferret being walked around Red Hill and inside the Last Resort. I don’t think this kind of non-transparency should be rewarded by their being granted exceptional permission for a ferret here.

   Reply

2. I’m not keen on the ferret being on goolawah, but more importantly the fact that the ferret has been on goolawah for years without being declared and a management plan put in.
   I’m also concerned about the rumours that there has been a cat living on the same site for the whole time of Adam & Shantell’s residency here. Cats and dogs are strictly Not allowed on Goolawah. As this is a long-standing rule of goolawah cooperative and the disregarding of the rules of membership upon entering into our contract of membership, (should the rumour of a cat be true,) demonstrates a disrespect for the membership.
   Other members have found that their desire for pet ownership and farm animals has led them to leaving the cooperative and finding more suitable property elsewhere, there has never been any animosity and only good wishes towards those who have chosen such a move.

   Reply