YAPS cash cut stirs the public

CAIRNS Regional Council has drastically underestimated the wrath of the community after it cut funding to the Young Animal Protection Society.

Now councillors are scrambling to clean up the mess in a bid to appease ratepayers, residents and pet lovers who have aired their anger in the columns of this newspaper, on social media and on the street.

Yesterday a late agenda item was discussed and councillors agreed to help YAPS organise a loan to expand its facilities and waive some fees after three weeks of public debate.

The issue raised its head after the budget earlier this month when the council cut its annual $35,000 subsidy, a 30-year deal struck in 1985 32 years ago.

The reasoning was that no other rescue groups received the same assistance from ratepayers.

But the public’s reaction has been swift and savage.

A day later Mayor Bob Manning announced half of the proceeds from the Mayor’s Charity Golf Day next year would be donated to help the shelter keep its doors open.

However, the community has continued to berate the council.

Yesterday the council agreed to consider acting as guarantor to assist YAPS access funding for future expansion plans that exceed their existing balance of $850,000.

A business case will be required to meet the standards of the financier and the council.

The council also agreed to waive $12,000 a year in dog registration and waste and water fees.

This has been a grassroots issue the community has taken seriously and reacted strongly.

The council has listened but the damage has already been done. Nick Dalton nick.dalton@news.com.au