Dog Fence Amendment Bill 1975
p2970, HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, March 18, 1975
Second Reading
The Hon. J. D. CORCORAN (Minister of Works) obtained leave and introduced a Bill for an Act to amend the Dog Fence Act, 1946-1969. Read a first time.
The Hon. J. D. CORCORAN: I move:
That this Bill be now read a second time.
I seek leave to have the second reading explanation inserted in Hansard without my reading it.
Leave granted.
EXPLANATION OF BILL
It proposes amendments to the principal Act, the Dog Fence Act, 1946-1969, consequential on the repeal of the Vermin Act, 1931-1967. Clause 1 is formal. Clause 2 provides that the measure shall come into operation on a day to be fixed by proclamation. Clause 3 is formal. Clause 4 amends the definition section of the principal Act and, in addition to amending certain definitions so that they reflect those in the new measure relating to vertebrate pests, inserts a definition of “local dog fence board”. Local dog fence boards, as was explained in the explanation of the Vertebrate Pests Bill, 1975, are intended to replace certain of the vermin boards established under the Vermin Act, 1931-1967, whose principal function for some time has been maintenance of the dog fence.
Clause 5 provides for the enactment of a new section 20a, empowering the Dog Fence Board to carry out works relating to the alteration of the site of the dog fence, subject to satisfactory arrangements for repayment of the cost involved. The Dog Fence Board under section 32a of the principal Act may obtain finance from the Treasurer to carry out such works. Clause 6 amends section 2.1 of the principal Act and is consequential on the repeal of the Vermin Act, 1931-1967. Clause 7 amends section 23 of the principal Act and is also a consequential amendment. Clause 8 makes some metric amendments to section 24 of the principal Act, and at paragraph (c) ensures that any payments under new section 20a towards the cost of altering the site of the dog fence may be set off against payments to the owner of the part of the dog fence concerned. Clause 9 is a consequential amendment.
Clause 10 repeals sections 25, 26 and 27 of the principal Act and provides for the enactment of new sections 25 and 26. New section 25 continues the present rating, but will enable the Dog Fence Board to determine the lands that are to be ratable. This change is proposed because the Dog Fence Board considers that parts of the existing area of ratable land can no longer be regarded as threatened by dingo predation and should not be subject to the rate. At the same time, it is proposed to raise the minimum amount of rate payable by any person to a figure that reflects the cost of collecting the rate from each ratepayer. New section 26 provides for the imposition of a special rate on landholders within the areas of the local dog fence boards which corresponds to the rate imposed under the Vermin Act, 1931-1967, for the purposes of the vermin boards established under that Act.
Clauses 11 and 12 are consequential on new section 26. Clause 13 provides for the enactment of a new Part IVa relating to local dog fence boards. New section 35a provides for the establishment of such boards by proclamation made on the recommendation of the Dog Fence Board. New section 35b provides for the transfer of the property, rights, duties, obligations and liabilities of vermin boards in- existence immediately before the repeal of the Vermin Act, 1931-1967, to the local dog fence boards established in their place. New sections 35c and 35d provide for the variation or abolition of local boards by further proclamation and the effect at law of any proclamation made under this new Part. Clauses 14 and 15 are consequential amendments.
Mr. COUMBE secured the adjournment of the debate.