RSPCA inspector trial gets go-ahead

The long-held desire to have an RSPCA inspector appointed in Broome has taken a major step forward with local councillors agreeing to part fund the position.

Shire councillors went against their officer recommendation last Thursday to decline the request from the animal welfare organisation and instead trial the position.

Under the carried motion, the Shire would allocate $25,000 a year to RSPCA WA for a two-year period from 2017-18 (pro-rata) for the remainder of the financial year.

The Shire of Derby-West Kimberley voted not to make a financial contribution towards the post. The original recommendation stated the council was supportive of an inspector being based in Broome, but declined the funding on the basis that it “should be provided by the State Government”.

But councillor Chris Mitchell proposed the alternate motion at Thursday’s meeting and said animal cruelty “in the West Kimberley is an urgent issue”.

“Having an inspector based in Broome would begin the education process and start to alleviate these issues,” he said.

Philip Matsumoto was the only councillor to vote no on the motion, which was carried by five votes to one.

RSPCA chief executive David van Ooran said he was pleased to hear the outcome of the council meeting.

“This is an encouraging step in the progress to deploy an inspector in the Kimberley and we look forward to working further with the council,” he said.

SAFE Broome president Wendy Roberts said she was “very happy” to hear the RSPCA would be receiving the assistance.

Mr van Ooran visited Broome in October and labelled the tourist town the “perfect spot” for an RSPCA presence in the north.

The most northern RSPCA representation in WA is Geraldton, nearly 2000km from the Kimberley.