The
resizing of the Aussie backyard, a shift to townhouse and apartment living and
more compact urban environments have planners focussing on how this impacts the
country's high rate of pet ownership.
The
Planning Institute of Australia (PIA) and the Petcare Information Advisory Service (PIAS) have partnered to launch an inaugural 2012 Pet
Friendly Planning Award a nationwide search for the planning project that best considers the needs of
Australia’s beloved pets.
The shift
in the way Australians are living and the ongoing popularity of pet ownership
are driving the need to better plan for pets in urban environments:
"Two in every three homes in Australia
have at least one pet. When you consider that lot sizes are getting smaller and
census data showing an increase in apartment living, pets need to be catered
for in parks and other public spaces.” MS Currie (PIA President)
For further information go to: www.planning.org.au/whatson/pet-friendly-planning-awards
For additional information and resources:
Public Open
Space and Dogs - Australia’s most comprehensive document to
date on planning for public open space and dogs; authored by Virginia Jackson.
Pets and
Community Health - research summary on the
health benefits of companion animals prepared by the Petcare Information and
Advisory Service.
www.petnet.com.au - useful source of information on pet ownership in Australia.
Pets in the City - great resource prepared by Petcare Information & Advisory
Service to assist those residing in high density living, enjoy the benefits offered by pets.
