The Block's contentious new build site has a feral cat problem
News Source
β’Thu, 8 Oct 2026 18:42:24 +0000
π° What Happened
The Block's next build site in Melbourne's north-west has a feral cat problem. Dozens of cats are believed to be living on and around the site at Jacksons Hill in Sunbury. The site formerly housed an asylum and psychiatric hospital. Animal welfare advocates want the Nine Network, which makes the show, to help rescue the cats. Volunteers currently care for the cats and hope to reach a deal with Hume City Council. The Nine Network says it is aware of the cats and is assessing the situation.
π The Backstory
The Block is a long-running Australian reality TV renovation show. Each season, teams renovate houses to sell for a profit. Heritage concerns have already raised questions about the Jacksons Hill site. Feral cats are a serious problem in Australia because they hunt native wildlife. Under Victoria's Domestic Animals Act, managing feral cats is usually a council responsibility.
π― Why It Matters
Feral cats harm native animals, and unowned pets often suffer too. This story shows how big projects and local wildlife can clash, and why care matters.
The Block's next build site in Melbourne's north-west has a feral cat problem. Dozens of cats are believed to be living on and around the site at Jacksons Hill in Sunbury. The site formerly housed an asylum and psychiatric hospital. Animal welfare advocates want the Nine Network, which makes the show, to help rescue the cats. Volunteers currently care for the cats and hope to reach a deal with Hume City Council. The Nine Network says it is aware of the cats and is assessing the situation.
The Block is a long-running Australian reality TV renovation show. Each season, teams renovate houses to sell for a profit. Heritage concerns have already raised questions about the Jacksons Hill site. Feral cats are a serious problem in Australia because they hunt native wildlife. Under Victoria's Domestic Animals Act, managing feral cats is usually a council responsibility.
Feral cats harm native animals, and unowned pets often suffer too. This story shows how big projects and local wildlife can clash, and why care matters.