The Cassowary Coast Regional Council (CCRC) has proposed a positive step forward for both community and environmental safety through a new amendment to Section 7 – Schedule 4: Prescribed requirements for community safety hazards.
This amendment has two key changes:
- The inclusion of the term “environmental safety”, recognising that protecting our natural environment is essential to community wellbeing
- A proposal that the top strand of all new barbed wire fences must be wildlife-friendly barbless wire, and that any fences in need of repair must be replaced with barbless wire
This simple change has real benefits for our region’s unique wildlife. Every year, cassowaries, gliders, wallabies and other native species are injured or killed by barbed wire fences. Many of these fences are unnecessary or can be easily modified to reduce harm.
Replacing the top strand of barbed wire with smooth wire gives animals a safer passage through their natural habitats, especially in areas bordering rainforest corridors, farms and residential blocks. By including environmental safety in the local law, Council is formally acknowledging that community safety and environmental care go hand in hand.
C4 strongly supports this proposed amendment. It aligns with our long-standing advocacy for wildlife-friendly fencing across the Cassowary Coast and reflects the growing community commitment to coexistence with nature.
Have your say
You can review this proposed amendment (and others) and provide necessary feedback to the CCRC by:
- Visit yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/local-law-amendment
- Select “Complete a survey”
- Select Amendment Local Law No. 3 (Community and Environment) 2025
- Select Section 7 – Amendment of Schedule 4 – Prescribed requirements for
- community safety hazards
- Leave your comments