The decision, made at Tuesday’s council meeting, will also see council take the issue to state level. 

Councillors voted in favour of contacting Hunter Local Land Services and the NSW Department of Primary Industries to seek input on possible solutions to containing the cattle, which have been documented wandering around Somerset Park from neighbouring farms. 

An update on the development of management plans for the Woodberry swamp from the state departments will also be requested, with it believed that the waterways have damaged fencing, allowing cattle to escape. 

Cr Mitchell Griffin, who initially raised the issue at council’s February 13 meeting, added that council should install temporary fencing around the public reserve and sports field south of Morriway Close at Somerset Park as a matter of urgency. 

Cr Griffin said his additional point about temporary fencing was to immediately ensure safety for the public.

Previously, Cr Griffin had raised concerns that a car could collide with roaming cattle, or a spooked beast could lead to a potentially dangerous situation in suburbia.

General manager David Evans raised concerns over the cost of the fencing, particularly as there has been no agreement made yet between the owners of the livestock and council. 

His views were echoed by Cr Henry Meskauskas, who said he had “some concerns” over council providing temporary fencing, given the exact cost was not yet known. ​