From 1 November 2018, permits will be required to keep animals such as poultry, sheep, goats, pigs, donkeys, horses and cattle within residential areas.
Permits are NOT required for the keeping of up to two beehives, for six (6) or less standard hens, ten (10) or less bantam hens, or up to eight (8) mixed size hens, but will be needed by anyone wanting to keep a rooster or any other poultry such as ducks, geese, pigeons or turkeys.
The one-off permit fee of $26 per property will be used to fund the production of educational resource materials for people keen on keeping farm animals within residential areas.
CLICK HERE to view a copy of the By-law.
CLICK HERE to download a Permit Application Form.
CLICK HERE to download a copy of the Healthy Hens, Happy Humans brochure.
Copies of the Permit Application Form and the By-law can also be obtained from the Council’s Administration or Service Centres.
For further information, contact the Council on tel. (03) 6429 8900.
NATIONAL DESEXING PROGRAM NOW
Our Council (supported by a co-funding grant from the Cradle Coast Authority), the National Desexing Network and the Penguin Veterinary Centre, have all joined forces to offer a subsidised desexing program to help prevent unwanted cats.
Eligible Central Coast Council residents can now receive subsidised cat desexing and microchipping. This initiative is designed for those in need and is subject to the following eligibility requirements.
- Valid pension
- Concession
- Healthcare card
- Low income
- With too many pets
- Adopting a stray or taking ownership of an unowned cat
Penguin Veterinary Centre will be participating in this program for our municipality.
To check your eligibility, please contact the National Desexing Network on 1300 368 992. If you’re eligible, you will be issued with a desexing voucher to then contact the Penguin Veterinary Centre and make an appointment.
These subsidies are available only while Council funding lasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
In the past there have been several issues involving the keeping of animals within residential areas. Current legislation can be quite difficult to enforce, and this often leads to poor outcomes for the community. The By-law is more proactive and will allow matters to be resolved in a much quicker manner.
It is also a mechanism that can be used to encourage good animal husbandry.
The By-law applies to all areas which are zoned Residential under the Tasmanian Planning Scheme – Central Coast, and any subsequent Schemes that are introduced. In general terms, this means those residential areas within the Ulverstone, Penguin, Sulphur Creek, Heybridge and Turners Beach townships - and some areas of Gawler - and may include others not mentioned here. If you are unsure what the zoning of your property is, please contact the Council on tel. (03) 6429 8900.
People within residential areas are able to keep up to six (6) standard hens, ten (10) bantam hens, or eight (8) mixed size hens without requiring a permit. You do however, need to comply with the housing and control of the hens.
A rooster can be kept as long as a permit has been issued.
The permit has no end date unless the conditions of the permit are not adhered to. If the Council receives a complaint, then the permit may be reviewed.
A permit is required to keep any of the following animals within Residential-zoned areas:
- sheep
- pigs
- horses
- donkeys
- cows
- goats
- all other birds except for the specified number of hens
- more than two bee hives.
The By-law does not apply to the keeping of dogs or cats as there is existing legislation dealing with these animals.
You can apply for a permit from 1 November 2018. The Permit Application Form can be downloaded by clicking on the link above, or you can get a copy from the Administration or Service Centres.
When a permit is applied for, all adjoining neighbours will be contacted.
If you have one of the following animals, you will require a permit, regardless of what other animals you have:
- sheep
- pig
- horse
- donkey
- cow
- goat
- goose
- duck
- turkey
- rooster.
You will also require a permit if you are keeping more than two bee hives in a Residential-zoned area.
For example, if you have: two bantam hens, one duck and one rooster, you will require a permit to keep the duck and the rooster within a Residential-zoned area.
Yes. Budgies are defined as domestic, caged birds under the By-law and therefore a permit is required to keep them within a Residential-zoned area.
Yes, if the pigeons are being kept within an area zoned Residential, a permit is required.
Complaints may be directed to:
Director Community Services
Central Coast Council
PO Box 220
ULVERSTONE TAS 7315
or via email to: admin@centralcoast.tas.gov.au with the wording "Attention Director Community Services" as part of the subject line.
Alternatively, you can contact the Council on (03) 6429 8900 or visit the Administration Centre at 19 King Edward Street, Ulverstone.
Contact the Council on (03) 6429 8900 or visit the Administration Centre.