Neighbouring Councils in the north eastern metropolitan area of Perth are set to benefit from a Mutual Aid Agreement. Kwinana, Rockingham, Armadale, Cockburn and Serpentine/Jarrahdale Councils have agreed to grant jurisdiction to each others Rangers.
This flexibility of boundaries will enhance rangers’ ability to carry out their duties. Prior to the Agreement, Rangers only had authority to act on matters occurring within their own Council area.
Ordinarily they do not have the right to question animal owners or offenders outside their own Council area, nor do they have the right to take appropriate action to ensure public safety.
Wandering cattle and stray dogs have no respect for Council borders. Their ability to wander into another jurisdiction hampers Rangers’ effectiveness.
Town of Kwinana Executive Manager Customer Services, Chris Oughton, said the Agreement will benefit all the surrounding communities which include significant rural areas.
“In the past for example, if a stock truck rolled over near a Council’s boundary and the stock wandered into a neighbouring Council, Rangers had no jurisdiction to round up the stock,” he said. “In the case of bush fires, Rangers will be able to come together to assist in the movement of animals in the fire’s path.”
Chris said Council Rangers had been looking to create such an agreement for some time. “In the past, Rangers, acting in the public interest but outside their own boundaries, were in a dubious position in relation to workers compensation and other issues,” he said. “Now they have certainty. It gives them protection and it makes sense.”
The Mutual Aid Agreement, though more extensive, is based on the Swan Region Fire Protection Plan which has been operating successfully for a number of years. It will come into effect in September.
For further information contact Chris Oughton, telephone (08) 9419 2222
