Residents have until January 23 to have their say on a proposed new Regional Animal Care Facility at Mardi.
Last year Council developed a concept design for the facility, which will replace ageing facilities at Erina and Charmhaven, with 98 comments and 353 reactions received during the exhibition period from February 18-March 13, 2023, and 94 per cent in support of its key features.
The Mardi site was identified as the preferred central location for a new Regional Animal Care Facility to provide enough space for animal wellbeing, enrichment and exercise.
It will cater for the current animal holding requirements of the Charmhaven and Erina Animal Care Facilities, as well as considering the future needs of the entire Central Coast Local Government Area (LGA).
The proposed key features focus on increasing animal wellbeing and accessibility whilst incorporating an environmental focused and welcoming design.
They include: multiple enrichment and exercise zones for the animals; kennels proposed to exceed standard Australian size requirements; a welcoming administration building; modern cat enclosures maximising natural light; meet and greet areas for prospective adopters; a walking path for exercise and one-on-one trail walks; a public carpark with disabled car space; connection via accessible concrete pathways; water tanks to utilise rainwater; and solar power for sustainability.
There will also be double kennels for bonded pairs, and mums and pups to be together, and a separate entrance for seized or behavioural dogs for ease of transfer.
The facility will include a specialised dog washroom to be used for dog washing and grooming, microchipping rooms and a cat isolation enclosure (when quarantining for cat flu).
Residents can have their say on the proposed facility until January 23 on the Council website.