FAQs - Narrawallee Beach Dogs Access
- The northern part of Narrawallee Beach, spanning from the unnamed island to Narrawallee Inlet Reserve, will remain dog-prohibited.
- This includes Narrawallee Creek Inlet Reserve, Narrawallee Creek Inlet (including sand banks exposed by tidal action), and Narrawallee Creek Nature Reserve under the jurisdiction of the National Parks and Wildlife Service.
- A timed dog off-leash area will be maintained in the central portion of the beach, extending from the unnamed island to the main beach access track leading to the Matron Porter Drive Reserve carpark.
- Access to this timed off-leash area will be facilitated via six designated beach access tracks within Matron Porter Drive Reserve.
- Dogs must remain on-leash within Matron Porter Drive Reserve and all designated beach access tracks.
- The southern part of Narrawallee Beach, starting from the main Matron Porter Drive Reserve beach access track, will remain dog-prohibited.
- This prohibition includes the Victor Avenue Steps and Surfers Avenue Steps, as well as the rocky outcrop adjacent to Surfers Avenue Steps.
- Visitors seeking to access the southern section of Narrawallee Beach without encountering dogs are encouraged to use the Surfers Avenue and Victor Avenue steps.
- Email: council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au
- Post: PO Box 42, Nowa NSW 2541
Can Council confirm dogs are allowed off-leash on Culburra Beach from 4-5pm in summer time sharing the beach with Surf Life Saving patrols the same weeks as Narrawallee.
Dog off-leash access at Culburra Beach and foreshore reserve is between Park Row and Tilbury Cove: 4pm to 8am (1 October to 30 April); 3pm to 10am (1 May to 30 September).
Proposed mitigation measures are Councils interpretation, not the external environmental assessment of risks. Please clearly explain why dogs on leash are an environmental risk on the southern end of the beach.
We know from hearing from the community that one in five people would prefer to have no contact with dogs and providing a dog-prohibited area supports those people. The Review of Environmental Factors (REF) considers recreational activities and social factors as well as environmental elements, to deliniate areas of dog prohibition and off-leash use. Consideration in the REF has been given to existing uses of the beach and reducing potential conflict between different groups of users and social disharmony. The goal of Council's Dog Access Policy is to support a risk based approach and avoidance is the primary and preferential level of any risk-reduction hierarchy.
The tracks through Matron Porter Reserve are rough, muddy, with many tree roots. How does this help our elderly community residents get social, physical, mental health stimulation activities with their dogs?
Full Question
The tracks through Matron Porter Reserve are rough, muddy, with many tree roots. They are sometimes a challenge for young and mobile people. It is dangerous and unfair to expect elderly people to access the beach through these tracks to work their dog/s. Victor Avenue stairs are the clear solution. These were widened at taxpayers' expense, and yet are used by far fewer people as a result of the dog beach arrangements. How is this fair, inclusive, community-minded? How does this help our elderly community residents get social, physical, mental health stimulation activites?
Answer
The condition-based assessment of beach access tracks at this location is captured as a priority action within the Open Coast and Jervis Bay Coastal Management Program (CMP). The Coastal Management Act 2016 (NSW) and the CMP is referred to in the REF.
If the survey was to measure support, why didn't the survey ask directly 'are you in favour of dog access from Surfers Avenue and Victor Avenue' ?
Who in Council observed the endangered birds on the southern rocky platform? What qualifications do they have to accurately identify birds?
Staff from the consultant's firm are appropriately qualified (Ecologists) and have accurately identified threatened shorebirds at this location.
Why did the REF only report the negative impacts of dogs on beach, not positive, in relation to social impact?
The REF assesses against community values as well as environmental and cultural heritage impacts, as per the requirements of Section 171 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2021 (NSW). Within the document, it states: the proposed activity would enhance the recreational values of the subject site by providing a controlled dog off-leash area that allows shared and balanced use by the public.
Why is on leash dog access considered more impactful than human recreation (all day) access?
On-leash dog access is the default for public areas under the Companion Animals Act 1998 (NSW) and does not require environmental assessment. Typical beach-going recreation by people also does not require an environmental assessment. As such, these were not assessed and there was no comparison made. The REF did, as required, consider potential impacts of off-leash dog access on social values, and considered the objectives of Council’s ‘Access Areas for Dogs’ policy.
How much has this cost ratepayers since the land and Enviroment court ruling?
Following the legislated process to establish dog off-leash access regulations in any area is part of Council's core business under state legislation. Further information about costs associated with implementation of interim and proposed permanent arrangements will be released to the public record via a future report to an Ordinary Council Meeting (anticipated: July 2024).
Why is Council increasing the risk to dog walkers accessing Narrawallee Beach ie. dark, trip hazards, tick infested and narrow road etc.
The condition-based assessment of beach access tracks at this location is captured as a priority action within the Open Coast and Jervis Bay Coastal Management Program (CMP). The Coastal Management Act 2016 (NSW) and the CMP are referred to in the REF.
How can on leash dogs cause any environmental damage to migratory birds? They are under effective control. Why aren’t all people banned?
Environmental impacts arising from the presence of dogs at the subject site and study area is described and assessed in the REF.
The buffer zone is 600 metres from Barclauy Street. This is far more than Huskisson; under 200 metres. This needs to be explained.
Environmental factors are assessed and contextualised to the site and considers all relevant environmental aspects to make a decision on the delineation of off-leash and prohibited areas at any specific location.
Please explain the alleged environmental impacts by walking a dog on leash from Surfers Avenue to off-leash. it can't be more than human interaction with the environment.
The REF considers recreational activities and social factors as well as environmental elements, to deliniate areas of dog prohibition and off-leash use.
Why is a person's safety not a bigger factor? The MP reserve track is unsafe and pitch black in parts in winter. As a female who uses the beach every day why is my safety less important than those who don't own a dog?
The purpose of the REF is to assess the suitability and permissibility of formal dog access at Narrawallee Beach. Approximately 20% of those who provided feedback to us in May 2024 raised concerns about Matron Porter Drive Reserve. This feedback will be given consideration when formulating a final recommendation for the consideration of councillors. If you witness any suspicious or illegal behaviour, please contact the local police.
Can you please explain why the reserve located west of the boat ramp (near IA1) has been changed to Prohibited? This is a mowed reserve and certainly not a natural area.
The reserve near the boat ramp has been included due to its proximity to shorebird nesting habitat at Narrawallee Inlet.
The REF doesnt preclude dogs at the Victor Avenue stairs so why does the current recommendation not make way to reinstate these, particularly as these were widened by great ratepayer expense?
The steps near Victor Avenue directly access the prohibited dog area, arriving on the beach south of the dog access area.
Is Council considering the option of increased hours for dogs off-leash?
All access arrangements will be considered in Council's review of the REF and community feedback. This includes the option of increased off-leash hours.
Furthermore, the continued analytical responses to monitoring information from complaints, observations and data will lead to the implementation of adaptive management to confirm that the proposed activity will not have a long-term effect on the environment and community into perpetuity.
The question in the survey that states 'does not support the current arrangements' - does not represent the true question. If you want current restrictions removed, how do you take into consideration that those that are not happy with the restrictions?
Information gathered through the survey identified that 69% of respondents would like to see an increase in the area available to dogs off-leash at Narrawallee Beach.
Council voted, 6 Nov 2023 to update the REF but the REF currently being considered is a New document. Why was this changed?
Changes to legislation and the updated Dog Access Policy required that a new REF be developed to ensure it considered all current legal requirements.
Why is the risk to community connectedness not included in social impact?
The purpose of the REF is to determine appropriate dog access to the beach that considers recreational activities and social factors as well as environmental elements, to deliniate areas of dog prohibition and off-leash use for people who want to experience either or both. Additional social matters, outside of the scope of the REF, will be considered as part of our review of community feedback and reported to the Council at a future Ordinary Council Meeting (anticipated: July 2024).
Can we please see the Scope of Works and Briefing Document provided to the REF writer? We don't need to see the costs.
This information is not currenlty publicly available. Should you wish to pursue this document, you can apply through a Government Information Public Access (GIPA).
Was any consideration given to the damage caused to local businesses by the sudden banning of access down Victor & Surfers Avenues; especially to my company Walking On Water? No consultation with us has ever taken place.
Everyone was welcome to participate in the community consultation about the proposed permanent dog access arrangements at Narrawallee Beach.
Why did Council choose to remove Victor Avenue stairs as access to walkers after the last court findings, when the judge found Council negligent in administration only?
Council’s decision was made following a Land and Environment Court ruling, which deemed the prior dog access arrangements at Narrawallee Beach to be of no force and effect. This brought back into effect the dog prohibited area at the southern end of the beach, which included the access point of Victor Avenue steps.
Why were the Victor Avenue steps widened, following concern about mixed access by people and dogs, only then to be made off limits to dog owners?
Council’s decision was made following a Land and Environment Court ruling, which deemed the prior dog access arrangements at Narrawallee Beach were of no force and effect. This brought back into effect the dog prohibited area at the southern end of the beach, which included the access point of Victor Avenue steps.
What alternatives are Council reviewing as to how the transit area at Surfers and Victor Avenues Vs a segregated "buffer" zone?
A thoroughfare for dogs through the dog-prohibited area from Surfers Avenue to the dog access area north of Victor Avenue steps is not part of the proposal. There are several access points within the dog access area available for people to use.
Why did the REF for the new Narrawallee viewing platform not identify or find any migratory birds? It's the closest change of use in the identified area.
The REF for dog access was for the beach and headland area. It includes an assessment of the potential impact of the proposed activity of off-leash dog access. A viewing platform located above the shoreline is a very different activity with a different assessment area and different potential impacts.
Why didn't the survey ask any questions regarding the actual issue at hand - access to Narrawallee Beach?
The top 3 responses emerging from community consultation activities undertaken in May 2024 were related to access to Narrawallee Beach.
My understanding is section 14 of the Companion Animals Act legislates dogs be prohibited in children's play areas was a main contributor to the decision to remove access to the southern end of the beach. Is that correct?
Section 14 of the Companion Animals Act 1998, requires that dogs be prohibited from within 10 metres of a formal play area, eg - playground equipment and does not relate to an open space, such as the beach setting.
Why didn't the REF that was published on Council's website contain anything about the Victor Avenue stair issues?
The stairs linked to Victor Avenue are referenced more than 50 times in the REF document.
When will we know what the recommendation will be to the Council after the survey responses?
The recommendation to Council will be published in the Council report on the Wednesday prior to the Council meeting, anticipated to be in July 2024.
Why is this engagement activity being conducted?
This engagement aims to gather feedback from the community regarding proposed permanent dog access arrangements at Narrawallee Beach. The feedback received will help inform Council’s final decision-making process.
What are the proposed permanent arrangements to dog access at Narrawallee Beach?
The following proposed permanent dog access arrangements at Narrawallee Beach aim to outline specific areas for dog activities while ensuring environmental protection and public safety:
North:
Central:
South:
How can I provide feedback?
Feedback can be provided by completing the Online Survey available on this web page or by submitting detailed written submissions via:
Will my feedback be considered in the final decision-making process?
Yes, all feedback received during the exhibition period will be carefully reviewed by Council officers and considered by Council before making a final decision on the proposed dog access arrangements.
What happens after the exhibition period?
After the exhibition period concludes, Council officers will review all feedback received and use it to inform a recommendation to Councillors. A report summarising the feedback and recommendations will be presented to the Council for consideration.
When will the final decision be made?
The final decision on the proposed dog access arrangements is expected to be made by the Council in July 2024, following the conclusion of the exhibition period and the review of feedback received.
What interim arrangements will be in place while the exhibition period is underway?
During the exhibition period, interim arrangements will remain in effect to ensure the orderly management of dog access at Narrawallee Beach. Visitors are advised to adhere to these interim arrangements until a final decision is made by Council regarding the proposed permanent dog access arrangements.
What are the proposed changes to the dog access at Narrawallee Beach?
A new Environmental Assessment (REF) confirms that the current off leash arrangement can remain in place.