RSPCA NSW has offered to transfer ownership of the Mort Street Animal Care Facility and land to Blue Mountains City Council for the nominal sum of $1 after reaching an agreement that includes a 20-year covenant to protect the site’s ongoing use as a local animal care and rehoming shelter.
The agreement to transfer ownership follows months of discussions between RSPCA NSW, BMCC, and the Member for Blue Mountains, Trish Doyle, following RSPCA NSW’s decision not to renew council pound management contracts and close the facility by 5 July.
“We have been in favour of the Council operating the Mort Street Animal Care Facility from the outset and are delighted that Blue Mountains City Council will be committing to continuing to use this facility as a local hub for pound and rehoming services,” said RSPCA NSW CEO, Steve Coleman.
“Like all of our state’s 128 local councils, Blue Mountains City Council is well placed to provide pound services for residents. RSPCA NSW’s long history of working closely with the council and supporting the local community will continue as we provide continuity of companion animal management services during this transition.”
Blue Mountains Mayor, Mark Greenhill said he was delighted that negotiations with RSPCA NSW have resulted in a solution that means best practice animal welfare services can continue across the city.
“This matter will go to the March Council Meeting and following endorsement by the Council, the Mort Street facility can be used for the ongoing purposes of rehoming, care and protection of animals,” the Mayor said.
RSPCA NSW says it will remain present in the Blue Mountains community by continuing to deliver preventative initiatives, such as its Keeping Cats Safe at Home project, which has been in conjunction with the BMCC for the last three years, along with inspectorate activity and community outreach support programs.
“Our organisation will continue to support the Blue Mountains as we have always done, independent of a bricks-and-mortar shelter, just like many other communities around NSW,” said Mr Coleman.
The motion of the proposed offer is set to be formally endorsed by Council at its 26 March meeting.
