Seniors’ pet project
Plan to waive dog rego fees for pensioners
GOLD Coast Mayor Tom Tate wants to waive dog registration fees for seniors following feedback from last year’s council budget.
The council expects the initiative to cost the city about $225,000 annually, with more than 10,200 dogs registered to pensioner concession card holders at $29.50 a registration.
Despite stating the plan would go ahead yesterday, Cr Tate said he wanted support from other councillors before it begins next financial year.
“Our seniors deserve some financial assistance and I’m sure all councillors will join me in formalising this arrangement during the upcoming 2018-19 budget discussions,” Cr Tate said.
He said the announcement came after of an online budget survey where the majority of 980 residents called for waiving dog registration fees.
The survey will continue until Thursday next week.
He said other Queensland councils offered discounts and concessions for dog registration.
Dogs must be registered to a home address to avoid seniors registering dogs for younger family members.
Cr Tate said the initiative would be offset by seniors putting the money back into the local economy. He added seniors had usually paid decades of taxes and rates.
“They have spent untold amount of tax in the past, they are the biggest volunteering group and that’s why we’ve got to make sure they’re looked after,” he said.
Advancetown pensioners Bruce and Doreen Johnston said waiving dog registration fees would be well respected among seniors.
“Quite often you’ll see seniors with small animals, they offer companionship especially after losing a loved one,” Mr Johnston.
“A pet can fill up a lot of black holes in peoples lives. I think it’s very positive news.”