By GEORGIA WESTGARTH
IT’S been a cat-free zone since its inception more than 10 years ago – and the City of Casey has made sure everyone knows it.
Signage has recently been erected around Botanic Ridge and Settlers Run estates to remind residents of the cat ban.
City of Casey Mayor, Cr Mick Morland, said the ban was developed to protect native wildlife, particularly the Southern Brown Bandicoot which holds a strong population in the Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne.
“The gardens are home to the largest known population of Southern Brown Bandicoots in the Melbourne and Western Port region – making the conservation and protection of these local marsupials a high priority,” he said.
Director at the gardens Chris Russell said studies had shown that cats posed a serious threat to bandicoot populations.
“It’s important that we do all that we can as a community to protect our precious local fauna for future generations,” Mr Russell said.
