At the Council meeting on Tuesday 16 April 2019, City of Mount Gambier resolved to provide the South East Animal Welfare League (SEAWL) with $60,000 in 2019/2020 subject to the organisation meeting agreed key performance indicators within agreed timeframes.
The decision follows a request from SEAWL for Council to increase its financial support to continue operations as the current five year tri-party agreement between the organisation, District Council of Grant and the City of Mount Gambier comes to an end in June 2019.
“City of Mount Gambier currently contributes around $34,000 as an annual amount which is directly related to impounded dogs,” City of Mount Gambier CEO Graeme Maxwell said.
“Since the current agreement, SEAWL has made two other requests for funding, $350,000 for a capital contribution towards a $1.7 million facility upgrade in June 2016 and a request to increase operational funding to $100,000 per annum in May 2018. Both requests were unable to be met by Council.”
About 30 people packed the public gallery in the Council Chamber to witness the debate surrounding SEAWL’s latest funding request at the Council meeting.
After much discussion, Council resolved to provide the requested amount of $60,000 subject to SEAWL meeting KPIs to be agreed upon between the parties.- City of Mount Gambier CEO Graeme Maxwell
Mr Maxwell indicated that since the current agreement with SEAWL made in 2014, there had been significant changes in the way in which local government deals with animal control. Legislated changes including mandatory microchipping, desexing provisions and centralised registration have contributed to a significant decline in the number of impounded dogs.
"In arriving at the decision Council took into consideration other factors in relation to the running of the SEAWL operation which are of broader community benefit, including the volunteer opportunities provided and the animal re-homing services which are beyond Council’s minimum legislative requirements.”
Media contact: Media and Communications Coordinator Sharny McLean on (08) 8721 2401 or smclean@mountgambier.sa.gov.au
