Hamilton’s proposed cat ban prompts questioning
A proposed cat ban for a showpiece subdivision in Hamilton’s south would take the city into unchartered territory.
City councillor Geoff Taylor quizzed council staff on the proposal at the first meeting of the council’s strategic growth committee.
Independent commissioners have proposed banning cats from the 105-hectare Amberfield development located near the western bank of the Waikato River in Peacocke.
The ban is billed as a New Zealand first for an urban environment and aims to protect the nationally critical long-tailed bats.
‘‘If you’ve got a cat ban then, well, it needs to be enforced,’’ Taylor told staff.
‘‘If it needs to be enforced, you need resources and also it’s new for our residents, something like that.
‘‘I just want to get a feel for where we stand as a council on that, if that’s appropriate.’’
Amberfield developer, Weston Lea Ltd, has challenged the commissioners’ decision, saying bats use the river as a ‘‘movement corridor’’ and not as a roosting site.
The Conservation Department has also appealed the commissioners’ ruling, arguing the suite of consent conditions are insufficient to protect the bats.
The appeals have been lodged with the Environment Court where parties are expected to take part in mediation.
Council staffer Luke O’Dwyer said the decisions made by the independent commissioners are ‘‘in reality’’ now the council’s decisions.
‘‘The [cat ban] condition was inserted to address specific submissions made by other parties during the hearing dealing with biodiversity,’’ O’Dwyer said.
‘‘The commissioners’ decisions, by default, becomes council’s decisions.’’
Council staff representing the council in a court appeal have to appear as an expert witness and their views have to be their own, O’Dwyer said.
If a cat ban is implemented, it will be the first such prohibition in an urban area in New Zealand.
The ban also applies to mustelids, such as ferrets and also pet rats.