Birds and other Animals

Chickens or guinea fowl must not be kept within 4.5 metres of a dwelling, public hall, school or any premise used for the manufacture, preparation, sale or storage of food.

Poultry such as ducks, geese, and turkeys must not be kept within 30 metres of a dwelling, public hall, school or any premise used for the manufacture, preparation, sale or storage of food.

All poultry house floors must be paved with concrete or mineral asphalt unless the poultry house:

• is not within 15.2 metres of a dwelling, public hall or school; or
• is situated on clean sand.

Poultry yards must be fully enclosed to prevent escape.

In addition to these standards, City of Newcastle does not recommend the keeping of roosters in close proximity to other residences where they may create a noise nuisance.

It is essential that pigs do not pollute water supplies used by a person for drinking or domestic purposes, or in a dairy.

Pigs must also not be kept within 60 metres of a dwelling, shop, office, factory, church or other place of public worship, workshop, school or public place in a city, town, village or other urban part of an area.

City of Newcastle may serve an order to increase the distance if it is considered necessary.

Horses and cattle must not be kept within nine metres of a dwelling, school, shop, office, factory, workshop, church or other place of public worship, public hall or premises used for manufacture, preparation or storage of food.

Stable floors must be paved with concrete or mineral asphalt or similar impervious material and the floor must be graded to drain.

Yards used for the keeping of horses or cattle must be fully enclosed to prevent escape.

Impact on trees

You will need to get approval from us if construction of the shelter requires pruning, cutting down, removal or the destruction of trees.

Any person wishing to keep bees must be registered with The Department of Primary Industries.

The Department investigates complaints about nuisance bees. Any person inquiring about beekeeping or who wishes to make a complaint about nuisance bees should contact The Department of Primary Industries to report any problems.

If you are looking to keep other types of animals not listed here other regulations or laws may apply.

• Ensure all food is stored in sealed containers
• Ensure clean water is available at all times
• Don't leave food or scraps lying around as this may attract rodents or vermin
• Only put food in a clean tray and take the tray away overnight
• Regularly clean out animal shelters, ensuring all waste is removed and disposed of appropriately
• Take care not to wash waste products into adjoining properties or watercourses
• Ensure the land is adequately fenced and cages are vermin and rodent proof
• Provide adequate shelter from sun, rain and wind
• Limit the animals kept to a manageable number
• Avoid keeping roosters in residential areas as they are noisy animals
• Careful consideration should be taken to the placement of bird cages / aviaries. They should be located as far away from neighbouring residences as possible.