Feral cats on the South Arm Peninsula

Published November 24, 2025

Action planning session highlights

Our recent feral cat action planning session in Sandford brought together South Arm Peninsula residents, local experts, and partner organisations for a practical, collaborative session on feral cat management. This was the second part of our community engagement feral cat project, building on from our Community Information Day at Lauderdale Hall. 

The hands-on workshop focused on on-ground actions to help the community with feral cat management. The first half of the day involved learning from experts how to correctly set up traps (what bait to use, where to strategically place them, how often to check them, what traps to use) and best practice for using wildlife monitoring cameras. The second half of the day saw the participants break up into geographical locations (North of South Arm Peninsula, South of South Arm Peninsula, and Sandford) to work together to identify keys priorities and actions for their neighbourhood to continue to manage cats.

Not only did we have passionate community members attend, but we also were grateful to have the attendance of several key local stakeholders who are instrumental in supporting our groups to correctly and successfully manage feral cats. 

John Bowden, an experienced feral cat trapper who has worked across the state, presented on correct feral cat trapping techniques.

Jerard Flakemore, a ranger with Parks and Wildlife, working out of Seven Mile Beach Field Centre, spoke about how to set up wildlife cameras. 

Several officers and Councillors from Clarence City Council, including the new Cat Mangement Officer, Penny Fox, attended. Penny spoke about her desire to support groups moving forward.

Noel Hunt, CEO of Ten Lives Cat Centre, provided an authoritative overview of how cat management facilities operate, the legal and logistical considerations of trapping, and how community groups can work with Ten Lives.

Simon Pahor, a local resident and invasive species management specialist, who has been trapping feral cats across the country, shared his experience and knowledge.

John Bowden presenting on correct feral cat trapping techniques. Photo: Deputy Mayor (Allison Ritchie) Clarence City Council. 

Key outcomes

  • Clear next steps for the Sandford Cat Management Group, with support from Ten Lives and the Clarence Cat Management Officer.

  • A new Clifton Beach Feral Cat Management Group is forming to support local efforts.

  • Strengthened partnerships with Parks & Wildlife, Clarence City Council, Ten Lives Cat Centre, and local specialists.

  • The new Clarence Cat Management Officer is now actively working with volunteer groups, including site visits to muttonbird colonies.

The 'Sandford' table, made up of members of the Sandford Cat Management Group, working together to plan next steps to contiune to control feral cats in their area. Photo: Landcare Tasmania.

Next steps

All groups expressed strong interest in working together on a long-term, coordinated Peninsula-wide program. They agreed to explore grant opportunities to support ongoing coordination and resourcing, and to continue building a shared approach to planning, communications, and community engagement.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to everyone who has attended our two feral cat sessions or been involved in our camera monitoring activities. And a big acknowledgement to our speakers and stakeholders for their continued involvement in this important project.

This workshop is supported by Clarence City Council, and the National Feral Cat and Fox Management Coordination.