Shadow minister Kirrilee Warr backs Shire of Pingelly numbat local law & calls for immediate review of Cat Act

The Shire of Pingelly’s attempt to salvage its Save the Numbat local law received a boost last week with the State’s shadow minister for local government arguing councils should not have to wait for reform of the Cat Act.

Pingelly’s numbat legislation is aimed at containing cats and it was gazetted in May, which means it is currently in operation.

However, it has been disallowed by the WA Joint Standing Committee of Delegated Legislation, so the shire must now appeal to the Legislative Council in the Upper House.

As the Legislative Council has just disallowed the City of Bayswater’s proposed Keeping and Control of Cats Amendment local law, it seems Pingelly’s case, which is due to be heard in November, could go the same way.

Shadow local government minister Kirrilee War said on September 17 that there had been years of inaction, during which 27 local governments had seen cat legislation scuppered.

The State Government has said it is planning to amend the Act in 2026, but Ms Warr countered that communities should not have to wait and that the disallowing of the City of Bayswater’s amendment should be a watershed that prompts immediate action.

“Repeated disallowances have prevented local governments from progressing their laws, showing the Act is no longer fit for purpose,” she said.

“The JSCDL has also recommended disallowance of the Shire of Pingelly’s local law, which is set to be considered in November, potentially leaving the council in limbo.”

Shire of Pingelly president Jackie McBurney has written to every member of the Legislative Council to drum up support.

“This law represents a critical conservation measure that will deliver significant benefits across multiple domains; native wildlife protection, agricultural productivity, cat welfare and human health,” she wrote.

“Pingelly is home to some of WA’s most precious native wildlife, including the iconic numbat, our State’s fauna emblem.

“However, the overwhelming evidence demonstrates the devastating impact that free-roaming cats continue to have on our natural heritage and community wellbeing.”

The shire has vowed to take its fight to the last possible conclusion and has already responded to the JSCDL’s arguments.

In its response the shire said the committee’s view was “fundamentally flawed” and contradicted the intent expressed in Parliament during the passage of the Cat Act.

It also said the matter should be referred to the Office of the Attorney General for a definitive legal definition, or to court for judges to decide.

Shire of Pingelly chief executive Andrew Dover said the disallowing of the City of Bayswater’s legislation was disappointing.

“The response demonstrates that the issue is the legal advice that the Legislative Council is receiving, leading to three approvals, 23 undertakings and now one disallowance,” he said.

“The current Act allows for containment; this is clear in an objective reading of the Act.

“It also is clear in the original intent.

“While the Shire of Pingelly supports the introduction of a Cat Amendment Act in 2026, the State Government has power now to save the numbat.”