Pets In The Park Opens Northern Rivers Clinic to Support Homeless Pet Owners

By Jeff Gibbs

Pets In The Park (PITP), a national charity providing free veterinary care to pets of people experiencing homelessness, has announced the opening of its newest clinic in Northern Rivers, a region facing some of the highest homelessness rates in Australia.

For many individuals experiencing homelessness, pets are a source of companionship, hope, and unconditional love. However, the financial burden of pet ownership often forces them to prioritise their pets’ needs over their own, making access to basic veterinary care a significant challenge.

“Pet ownership brings immense joy and enrichment, but also substantial financial challenges,” said Jay Potter, President of PITP. “Too often, owners sacrifice their own welfare to ensure their pets’ health. This is where Pets In The Park plays such an important role.”

A Monthly Lifeline for Homeless Pet Owners

The new monthly clinic, held in Byron Bay, will support individuals and their pets living rough in Ballina, Lismore, Mullumbimby, Evans Head, and surrounding areas. Accessible via referrals from local homelessness support organizations, the clinic will offer free veterinary consultations, vaccinations, parasite control, microchipping, and treatment of common ailments.

In addition to healthcare, donated pet products, including food, bedding, and toys, will be distributed to enhance the pets’ overall well-being.

A Collaborative Effort

The clinic’s establishment is the result of a year of dedicated planning by veterinary professionals Dr. Elizabeth Settles, Helen McGregor, and Lauren Archer, working with PITP’s national office. They secured a venue, gathered local veterinarians and vet nurses willing to volunteer, and developed a sustainable model to improve healthcare for these pets.

“This started with a conversation about the parvo outbreak in Lismore and how unaffordable vaccines were impacting puppies,” said Dr. Settles. “It evolved into creating a clinic to address broader veterinary care challenges for homeless pet owners.”

From March 2025, students from Southern Cross University’s new Vet Science program will join as volunteers, gaining invaluable experience while helping the community.

A Region in Crisis

The Northern Rivers region faces an acute housing crisis, with skyrocketing property prices and a highly competitive rental market that often excludes pet owners. Many individuals live in cars or refuse emergency accommodation to keep their pets. The lingering effects of natural disasters have only exacerbated these challenges.

Get Involved

Veterinary professionals are invited to volunteer through PITP’s website at www.petsinthepark.org.au. The charity relies solely on donations, with contributions over $2 tax-deductible in Australia.

To learn more about Pets In The Park, click here.

By providing essential services to pets and their owners, Pets In The Park is making a critical difference in the lives of Northern Rivers residents, helping them navigate the challenges of homelessness while keeping their beloved companions by their side.

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New Agricultural Levies Legislation to Simplify Obligations

By Ian Rogers

A streamlined agricultural levies framework is set to replace the existing system from January 1, 2025, simplifying obligations for participants and making the system more accessible and efficient.

The overhaul consolidates more than 50 pieces of legislation governing 110 levies and charges across 75 commodities and 18 recipient bodies into just five Acts and subordinate legislation.

Deputy Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Policy, Matt Lowe, highlighted the benefits of the new framework.

“From the start of 2025, the new legislation will make obligations clearer for levy payers, collection agents, and bodies that receive levies, while also supporting industries looking to introduce new levies or modify existing ones,” Mr. Lowe said.

“This more flexible and consistent approach will benefit current and future participants in the levy system, ensuring industries can maximise the advantages of collective investment.”

The revamped legislation aims to strengthen the partnership between industry and government by reducing administrative complexity and costs. It will continue to support investment in research and development, marketing, biosecurity, and residue testing.

Increased Certainty and Flexibility

Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) are set to enjoy greater funding certainty under the new framework, which provides a foundation for ongoing improvements.

“Our agricultural levy system has been a cornerstone of industry investment for decades, and the new framework will make it stronger and more effective,” Mr. Lowe said.

The changes follow a comprehensive review that revealed the previous system, developed over the past 30 years, had grown in an ad hoc manner and was no longer fit for purpose.

Extensive Consultation and Key Features

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry conducted extensive consultations with industry groups, levy payers, collection agents, and recipient bodies to develop the new framework.

Key elements of the levy system, such as levy rates and their intended purposes, remain unchanged. However, participants may notice administrative updates, including new forms and due dates.

Levies are collected from farmers, producers, processors, and exporters, with any proposed changes requiring majority support among levy payers.

Continued Investment in Industry Growth

In the 2023-24 fiscal year, entities such as RDCs, Animal Health Australia, Plant Health Australia, and the National Residue Survey received over $600 million in levy payments. The Australian Government further contributed $470 million in matching funding for research and development activities.

This updated legislation ensures the levy system remains a robust tool for supporting Australia’s primary industries, enabling collective investment in strategic priorities that drive industry growth and sustainability.

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Higher Water Prices Threaten Farms and Drive Up Cost of Living

By Ian Rogers

Proposals to increase water costs for agricultural use by as much as 245% over the next five years could devastate Australian farmers, pushing many out of business and driving up food prices for consumers.

NSW Irrigators’ Council CEO Claire Miller warned that the proposed hikes would exacerbate the challenges already faced by local farmers, who are struggling to compete with an influx of cheap imported food.

“Food imports have surged by $7 billion in just two years, reaching nearly $40 billion in 2023-24,” Ms. Miller said.

“Our farmers adhere to stringent environmental and health standards, which come with significant costs. These include rising expenses in interest rates, fuel, insurance, machinery, wages, energy, and water allocations, compounded by State and Commonwealth environmental water recovery policies.”

Calls for Government Intervention

Ms. Miller urged the NSW Government to intervene, noting the Premier had already stepped in to limit urban water bill increases to 50% over five years for Sydney and Newcastle households.

“If the NSW Government wants its households to eat local and support our farmers, it must also advocate for rural water users. Without intervention, exorbitant water prices could prove the final straw for many,” she said.

“These proposed increases don’t just affect farmers. All WaterNSW customers with water licences, including councils, food manufacturers, and other industries, could face skyrocketing costs. This could lead to higher consumer prices and widespread economic consequences.”

A Broken Pricing Model

Ms. Miller criticised the current water pricing model as unsustainable, noting that small and medium family farms, which form the backbone of many rural communities, are especially vulnerable.

“Farmers can’t keep absorbing costs indefinitely. If they can’t pass these increases on to consumers, they’ll be forced out of business, with devastating consequences for rural communities,” she said.

“The ripple effects include business closures, job losses, and the collapse of industries critical to regional economies and social wellbeing.”

Ms. Miller also highlighted the inequity of asking rural water customers to shoulder the growing costs of public good reforms, including environmental, recreational, and Aboriginal programs, which benefit the broader community.

“Rural water users should not bear the costs of delivering reforms intended for the public good,” she added.

Advocacy and Next Steps

The NSW Irrigators’ Council has submitted a formal response to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART), calling for a review of the water pricing model to ensure farmers and rural communities are not disproportionately affected.

For more details, the NSWIC submission can be viewed here.

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