Narrawallee Beach Off-Leash Trial – New Notice of Motion

A report on the outcomes of the Narrawallee Beach Off-Leash Trial that operated from December 2019 to December 2020 was presented at Shoalhaven City Council’s Strategy and Assets meeting on 9 February. Council reached a resolution (MIN21.68) and actions were undertaken by Council staff which included the design and subsequent installation of new signage at Narrawallee Beach in accordance with the resolution.

A Notice of Motion was considered at the Strategy and Assets Meeting on Tuesday 9 March 2021 (MIN21.120) which resolved:

That Council:

1. Support the continuing access to the off-leash area at Narrawallee Beach from Surfers Ave as per the recent trial directions.
2. Develop appropriate signage directing people the right way to access the off leash area in and around Narrawallee Beach especially at the Surfers Ave end. Clrs Proudfoot and White and available Councillors to assist in the development of the signage with staff.
3. Leave the access from Surfers Ave in place until consideration of this area in the review of the Access Areas for Dogs policy.
4. Issue enforcement penalty notices for persons not following the signage or walking with dogs directly across south end Narrawallee Beach between the steps and Victor Ave steps.
5. Request local residents, Paws4Shoalhaven and Rangers to assist with advising residents and visitors of the strict entry process from Surfers Ave to the off-leash area.
6. Undertake vegetation maintenance if required on mid beach access points as noted in Staff Signage Report
7. Contact Holiday Home owners via Rates Notices advising them of the changes and the role they play in sharing the foreshore and informing their tenants of the access arrangements for dogs.
8. Include on the new signage, information on shore bird habitats which is protected by No Dogs (access) areas.
9. Include on the signage that to access the beach via the track from Surfers Avenue at the back of the beach, dogs must be on leash.

Council staff will now undertake the actions as required as per the above resolution.

The minutes are available on the Agendas and Minutes web page.