Inspection Program

Community safety and responsible pet ownership within our communities are priority items for Longreach Regional Council. To assist in achieving these important objectives, Council aims to educate pet owners on their responsibilities, and ensure compliance with the requirements for owning cats and dogs. An Approved Inspection program is a Program, approved by a local government, under which Authorised Persons may enter and inspect properties in the local government area to ensure relevant legislation are being complied with. The Longreach Regional Council has not undertaken an Approved Inspection Program for animal-related matters in many years.

In accordance with Section 114 of the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 (AMCDA) and Section 133 of the Local Government Act 2009 (LGA) (collectively, the Acts), all residents are hereby notified that the Longreach Regional Council intends to conduct an Approved Systematic Inspection Program (the Program) to ensure animal-related compliance with the Acts and Council’s Local Laws. Inspections will be conducted at all properties within the designated town areas throughout the entire Local Government Area. 

The primary purpose of the Program is to achieve compliance with the registration and microchipping requirements of the AMCDA, with inspections being conducted for a period of six calendar months, commencing 6 November 2023 and concluding on 5 May 2024. The Program will also assist with monitoring the keeping of animals under Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011 and Subordinate Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011, including the keeping of excess or prohibited animals, and monitoring compliance with minimum standards. Inspections relating to Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) 2011 will be conducted over a period of three calendar months, from 6 November 2023 to 5 February 2024.

Identified non-compliances may result in Compliance Notices or Penalty Infringement Notices (“fines”) being issued. A copy of the Program is available for all Council public offices, free of charge. For more information, please contact Longreach Regional Council’s Regulatory Services Department via council@longreach.qld.gov.au or 07 4658 4111

(Res-2023-09-239)

You can find the full "Approved Inspection Program" plus fact sheets on the "Designated Town Areas" and "How many animals you can keep" below. 

Approved Inspection Program Designated Town Areas How many animals can I keep 

Q&A

What will happen if my dog is not registered? You will have seven (7) days to ensure your dog is registered with Council. If your dog/s is not registered within the timeframe, you may be issued with a Penalty Infringement Notice (“fine”) for 2 penalty units, and the registration requirement will still apply.

What will happen if my dog or cat is not microchipped? You will have fourteen (14) days to book your pet into a veterinary clinic for microchipping, and let us know of the booked date. If your dog or cat is not microchipped within the timeframe, you may be issued with a Penalty Infringement Notice (“fine”) for 2 penalty units, and the microchipping requirement will still apply.

How much does dog registration cost? Registrations must be renewed each year, and they expire on 15 August. Registration fees for 2023/2024 are:

Does a cat need to be registered? There is currently no legal requirement for cats to be registered, but it is possible to register your cat. There are many benefits to registration, such as identification if found roaming, free first time release, and being able to contact cat owners if there are identified issues (e.g. illness/disease outbreaks).

How much does cat registration cost?

How much will a Penalty Infringement Notice cost? As of 1 July 2023, the value of 1 penalty unit is $154.80. The amount of a fine will depend on the fineable amount in the relevant legislation, and is applicable per offence (e.g. per dog/cat for which the offence applies):

How will I know who is authorised to conduct the inspections? Council will engage Contractors for the majority of the inspections under this Program. They will be driving a Council vehicle, wearing a hi-vis Animal Management vest, and display an Identification Card that you may ask to see. There will always be two (2) Officers present at an inspection. They will also be wearing and using Body Worn Cameras.

If have any further questions, please make contact with our Regulatory Services department on (07) 4658 4111.