Impounded dogs in Wairarapa could soon get million-dollar accommodation, but the district's animal shelters are currently below national standards.
Dogs like this Masterton puppy have been held in conditions below national standards ahead of million-dollar upgrades to local facilities Photo: Wairarapa Times Age / LDR
New rules call for greater comfort and safety.
Pounds must be clean, dry, ventilated, protected from weather extremes, and spacious enough for the animals.
This could lead to automatic temperature controls, and dogs given up to 4.32 square metres of space each.
Health and safety law changes mean improved safety measures for workers also need to be considered.
South Wairarapa (SWDC) and Carterton (CDC) councils say they remain committed to a joint project, even though an SWDC report referred to "hesitancy" from its northern neighbour.
Masterton's council did not sign up for the joint project and has since announced a $1.46 million refurbishment to bring its facilities up to scratch.
This week, Whanganui District Council opened the doors for its new $1m pound.
SWDC councillors raised concerns over standards as far back as 2017.
Since then, further rule changes have rendered the current facilities even more out of date, but the pounds remain unfit for purpose.
The SWDC pound in Featherston. Photo: Wairarapa Times Age / LDR
A report from consultants Armstrong Dixon found the existing pounds "both need urgent replacement".
It said the current Carterton site on Dalefield Rd was a better option than SWDC's facilities in Greytown and Featherston.
The consultants priced costs at $553,932 but "final estimates should be undertaken when detailed plans and specifications have been confirmed".
Those specifications seemed to double the asking price.
SWDC said Carterton colleagues had baulked at the costs.
A report sent to all SWDC council meetings said its neighbour had "indicated a hesitancy regarding a combined CDC/SWDC pound option".
At last month's planning committee meeting, SWDC chief executive Harry Wilson said "the original costings we came out with when we looked at the standards, were very high. About $1.2m".
"Dave [Gittings, CDC infrastructure manager] thought they were too high, so we're back down to $860,000 now."
Wilson said it was not that either party was reluctant, "it's just that we want to get into the right ballpark for costs."
CDC chief executive Jane Davis said her council was not stalling over the plans.
"We at CDC are really pleased to be still working with SWDC to confirm the joint pound initiative.
"We have now got the cost estimated to a place that we will be going to tender in the New Year for a combined pound."
North of the Waingawa River, MDC's pound remains non-compliant with legislation, ahead of its upgrade.
Work on its Ngaumutawa Rd site starts next year, which will bring it up to code.
Wairarapa council impound charges
In 2018-19, the last year with full statistics provided, Carterton impounded 86 dogs, South Wairarapa 95, and Masterton 270.
From August this year, South Wairarapa charges $80 for a first impounding, $170 for a second, and $270 for subsequent.
Carterton charges $60, $120, and $180, respectively.
Masterton's current fees are $70, $125, and $160.
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