Brothels, Cats And Skates: Councils Want More Power

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday October 27, 1993

MARIA CERESA

Local councils have called for increased power to shut brothels, register domestic cats and stop people roller-skating or skateboarding in public places.

The delegates at the Local Government Association's annual conference yesterday also called on the State Government to allow council officers to issue on-the-spot infringement notices against those responsible for water pollution and to increase their powers to stop people illegally posting advertisements.

The association supported Ashfield Council's move to seek amendments to two environmental acts to give councils power through the court system to close down illegal gaming houses and brothels.

The council argued that present procedures were "inordinately lengthy and in some cases ineffectual".

A proposal from Councillor June Baker of Shoalhaven Council called for legislation requiring the registration of cats to curb the damage caused to the environment by feral and domestic cats.

Councillor Baker said there should be laws making it an offence to sell, give or trade kittens unless they have a voucher issued by a veterinary surgeon stating that they have been desexed.

Concern for elderly people being knocked down by people using roller-skates and skateboards in prohibited places prompted the Mayor of Willoughby, Councillor John Squire, to ask the association to press the State Government to pass a law giving councils the power to enforce bans on their use.

The association considered more than 160 motions during its four-day conference.