Tweed Shire Council is seeking community feedback on a new draft Policy on Assistance Animals in Council Places.
The draft Policy outlines a set of standards for animals to access public spaces where pets are generally not permitted – including libraries, pools, parks, community halls, holiday parks and cultural venues.
The draft policy was developed in collaboration with Australian Disability Network, peak disability organisations and community members with lived experience and aims to provide clarity for assistance animal handlers, Council staff and the community by outlining shared expectations and responsibilities.
It responds to growing community feedback and a lack of clear, consistent guidelines across NSW about what qualifies as an assistance animal – and where those animals are allowed.
Council’s Manager – Inclusive and Creative Communities Shannon Carruth said the draft policy will assist the community when they are using Council’s public spaces.
“This draft policy aims to provide greater clarity and consistency – for people with disability who rely on assistance animals, Council staff and the broader community,” Ms Carruth said.
“It’s about making sure people who rely on assistance animals can access public places safely and with confidence, while also maintaining spaces that are welcoming for everyone.”
Assistance animals play a vital role in supporting people with disability to live independently and participate fully in community life. The policy seeks to ensure everyone understands their rights and responsibilities when it comes to assistance animals in Council places – including libraries, pools, parks, community halls, holiday parks and cultural venues, the Council said in a statement.
The standards set out in the draft policy include that the animal must be a dog, trained to perform specific tasks that support a person’s disability, microchipped, and clearly identified as an assistance animal – for example, wearing a coat, badge or harness.
The draft policy also clarifies that emotional support animals, therapy animals or pets that are not trained to the same standard as assistance animals, do not have the same legal rights to access to Council places.
The draft policy has been developed in parallel with broader government reviews.
These include:
- A review of the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998, led by the NSW Office of Local Government. (More info: NSW Companion Animals Act Review);
- The development of National Principles for the Regulation of Assistance Animals, led by the Australian Government Department of Social Services. (More info: National Assistance Animal Principles Consultation).
These reviews may present important opportunities to address current gaps in legislation and support greater clarity for individuals, organisations and local governments, the Council said.
“We understand this is an issue that people care deeply about. That’s why it’s important people give us their feedback on the draft policy, so we can get it right,” Ms Carruth said.
The Draft Policy on Assistance Animals in Council Places is on public exhibition until Friday 15 August 2025. To view the document and provide feedback, visit Your Say Tweed (www.yoursaytweed.com.au/assistanceanimals).
