The Exhibition of The Community Strategic Plan closes to-morrow, Tuesday 9 May 2017. It is interesting to note that the growing importance of companion animals in our community is virtually totally ignored by this plan apart from one line "Be responsible pet owners" and an image of two dogs in what seems to be a bin.
Above: The image in Council's Community Strategic Plan - Is this the image we want to portray of the Eurobodalla Shire to the rest of Australia to promote tourism and grow our Community and Economy? when Council could have easily used a far more informed image such as the one below that imparts the importance of companionship of pets to our community. (Photo below provide by Rob Loftus - source unknown)
Draft Community Strategic Plan - One Community
Dear Council,
I would like to make a submission to the draft strategic plan that it includes a realistic assessment of the place that companion animals play to-day, and into the future, in the lives of everyday Australians. This is even more important when we consider our aging population in Eurobodalla. This would require a far greater attention to their needs and welfare than the only current reference in the Draft Community Strategic plan to "be responsible dog owners".
To attract more visitors to our Shire we need to portray it as a more dog friendly tourist destination than we do at present. In order to compete with other dog-friendly destinations on the coast of NSW it is essential for continued economic growth.
We need to look after the large and growing number of companion animals in our community in a more humane and respectful way than we do at present. Not only in recognition of the important place they play in the development of our modern society, but also in recognition of the benefits they bring to families, the young, the disabled, the lonely, the sick and the elderly throughout our community.
I hope you can consider a more positive and proactive approach to incorporating the welfare of companion animals into the Community Strategic Plan.
Kind regards, Robert Loftus
