Future Of Kurri Kurri Pound

[DMA]

It's just been brought to my attention that Cessnock City Council will vote on 18 May about the future of Kurri pound. The issue is about whether they sign a contract with the RSPCA to take over pound operations. This has been brewing since Decemeber last year, but several of us have been negotiating in order for the council to keep Kurri pound operations as is currently the case. There are several reasons for this, the main ones being:

1) the Kill rate will double.

2) locals will have to travel further to reclaim their dog or adopt. The further travel time will ensure fewer people will get involved.

3) Rescue groups will not be allowed access anymore as this is current RSPCA practice

4) The contract price is far too much at a $1 million plus figure over 5 years

5) The costings for a new pound for Cessnock City Council are greatly over exaggerated at $2.2 million whereas we did a costing of around $250 000.

6) The cost of renovating the current facility could be as low as $150 000.

7) It appears that no tender will be called, which will be in violation of Section 55 of the Local Government Act.

8) There has been zero public consulation over this matter which is in violation of Section 8 of the Local Government Act.

It goes without saying that we need your support. Please contact all of these councillors voicing the above concerns not to mention your opposition to this vote:

Mayor Councillor Alison Davey

Business Hours:

Phone: 02 4993 4210

Fax: 02 4993 2508

Email: [email protected]

PO Box 152

CESSNOCK

After Hours:

Fax: 02 4990 6456

12 Alfred Street

CESSNOCK 2325

Clr Cordelia Burcham

PO Box 152

62-78 Vincent St

Cessnock 2325

Bus Phone: 0413 912 650

Fax: 02 4990 1857

Mobile: 0413 912 650

Email: [email protected]

Clr James Hawkins

Cessnock Cellars

100 Wollombi Rd

CESSNOCK 2325

Phone: 02 4990 3647

Fax: 02 4990 9481

Mobile: 0428 414 724

Email: [email protected]

Clr Rachel Main

25 Mackellar Street

CESSNOCK 2325

Phone: 02 4991 5850

Fax: 02 4991 4398

Mobile: 0408 222 826

Email: [email protected]

Clr Bob Pynsent

370 Lake Road

ELRINGTON 2325

Phone: 02 4990 7724

Fax: 02 4991 5587

Mobile: 0408 267 532

Email: [email protected]

Clr Dale Troy

1/100 Mount View Road

CESSNOCK 2325

Phone: 02 4990 7504

Fax: 02 4990 7140

Mobile: 0413 097 504

Email: [email protected]

Clr Ian Olsen

5A Mulbring Street

ABERDARE 2325

Phone: 02 4990 5992

Fax: 02 4990 7313

Mobile: 0408 333 583

Email: [email protected]

Clr Allan McCudden

72 Armidale St

ABERMAIN 2326

Fax: 02 4930 4515

Mobile: 0428 648 532

Email: [email protected]

Clr Chris Parker

1575 George Booth Drv

BUCHANAN 2323

Phone: 02 4936 2217

Fax: 02 4936 2216

Mobile: 0434 332 217

Email: [email protected]

Clr Jeff Maybury

18 Second Street

WESTON 2326

Phone: 02 4937 1400

Fax: 02 4937 5438

Mobile: 0401 107 525

Clr Graham Smith

15 Butler Parade

KURRI KURRI 2327

Phone: 02 4937 2653

Fax: 02 4936 2634

Mobile: 0408 333 604

Email: [email protected]

Clr James Ryan

33 Brunker Street

KURRI KURRI 2327

Res Phone: 02 4937 5125

Bus Phone: 02 4930 8641

Fax: 02 4936 2957

Mobile: 0414 922 591

Email: [email protected]

Clr Neil Gorman

PO Box 422

KURRI KURRI 2327

Res Phone: 02 4937 5034

Bus Phone: 02 4937 5035

Fax: 02 4936 4017

Mobile: 0429 924 119

Email: [email protected]

And just as importantly we need a large group of supporters at the council meeting next Wednesday 18 May at 6.30pm at the Cessnock Council Chambers, Vincent Street, Cessnock. So if you can come it'll be greatly appreciated, not only by us in the rescue groups, but more importantly by the impounded animals.

[DMA]

An update about the meeting next Wednesday. The councillors will be discussing the future of the pound at a closed budget session. So the public will not have access. I have no idea ATM whether there will be any vote or discussion at the public meeting at 6.30pm although I suspect there won't be. Council will hopefully publish the meeting's agenda on Monday, so we'll know then I guess

[DMA]

Heads up everyone. The council agenda has just been published & yes the decision about the future of teh pound has been included in the public meeting starting at 6.30pm Wednesday 18 May. It's too late for us to do a presentation, as that paperwork had to be filed last Tuesday, but we need to have as many people there as is possible to protest the takeover of the pound, by the RSPCA, at least without council breaking the law in doing so as they are claiming that they don't need a tender as:

· The RSPCA is the only organisation available within the area that has an industry

best practice regional animal shelter capable of providing the professional animal

care and management required of Council under legislative requirements

· Part of the RSPCA’s core business is to set up and provide professional animal

management services to Local Government.

· Council has an immediate and critical need to address operational requirements and

occupational health and safety concerns as addressed in the accompanying report.

· The entry into this contract provides a significant economic benefit to the Council over

the term of the contract when compared to the cost of Council providing its own facility

Needless to say this is complete garbage.

Here's the link to the agenda notes for next Wednesday: http://www.cessnock.nsw.gov.au/resources/file/Agendas/2011/OC_18052011_AGN.pdf It is listed on page 29.

[DMA]

Just a quick note to anyone coming to the meeting on Wednesday night. Apparently to get to the chamber you use the rear entrance to the building via the roof carpark.

[Lyla]

That's crap. Rutherford RSPCA is always full. Guess that just means the poor dogs and cats end up with next to no chance if they aren't claimed straight away.