Council finds new pound site

MORE than three years after it started looking for a suitable site for a regional animal pound, Rockhampton Regional Council has identified a location in Kawana.

But it could be another three years before strays and unwanted pets are cared for in hygienic, air-conditioned luxury.

Cr Tony Williams, who has campaigned for years for a state-of-the-art replacement for the city’s run-down and flood-prone pound, says it has been a long and frustrating process.

He’d like to shut the “disgraceful” Quay Street pound as quickly as possible and hopes now a site in Werribee Street has been chosen, and funding for a $1.25 million regional pound set aside, that there are no more hitches in the drawn-out saga.

Councillors are due to be updated today on progress towards a final design of the new pound which will have a much larger capacity.

“It’s been difficult finding a flood-free location which we own but this site is good. It’s on an industrial estate and as the animals will be indoors, I don’t anticipate any objections from the neighbours,” said Cr Williams, who chairs the council’s health committee.

“The existing pound has been closed for weeks by the flood, re-emphasising that it must be replaced. There are disease issues there with parvo, but the new facility will be far more hygienic with elevated cages.”