Residents rally to oppose cat ban planned by regional council
A GROUP of Omaui residents have united to put a joint submission to Environment Southland opposing a proposed cat ban in the small town.
A new Southland regional pest management plan was revealed by Environment Southland in August.
It included a proposal for Omaui where cats in the area should be neutered, microchipped and registered with the council, and no cat would be replaced once it died.
It was proposed by Environment Southland as a measure to help protect the native wildlife in the area.
The cat ban gained national and even international media attention.
Resident Nico Jarvis said a film crew from Korea had showed up at her door wanting to discuss the situation.
Since the proposal was made public, Ms Jarvis and other residents have voiced their concern and also organised a com munity meeting at the Omaui YMCA camp hall.
They invited Environment Southland staff to attend the meeting but the invitation was declined.
Since the meeting, more than 40 residents had signed a written submission which was delivered to Environment Southland’s Invercargill office yesterday.
Ms Jarvis, along with Clinton and Esther Penney, have led the way, putting together the fourpage written submission, which was supported by other residents.
The trio have also sent a letter to Environment Southland councillors outlining the concerns.
The group planned to deliver a verbal submission to Environment Southland when that opportunity arose.
Ms Jarvis said the written submission touched on aspects of the proposal with which the residents were uncomfortable.
‘‘There is no proof that a small group of domestic cats have a large impact on the bush at Omaui.’’
The group also doubted a suggestion by Environment Southland that Omaui residents supported the ban.
Ms Jarvis said Environment Southland had been in discussions with the Omaui Land Care Group, but she added that group was made up of only four Omaui residents.
She admitted the situation had caused some tension in the township but was proud of the way the Omaui residents opposing the ban had rallied together.
Ms Jarvis was also concerned officials might eventually be able to enter private property to take any banned cats away.
‘‘We are fighting for our right as landowners,’’ she said.
Submissions on the Southland regional pest management plan close on Tuesday.