Dogs in the Public Domain - Investigations, Trials and Projects

Thank you for your feedback. This consultation is now closed.

Council is seeking community feedback to develop the concept for the Boongaree Dog Fenced Off-Leash Area (FOLA).

In December 2018, Council endorsed the Boongaree Master Plan. The plan was modified through a process of re-exhibition and community feedback, which resulted in the current Boongaree Master Plan.

Due to its size and scope, Boongaree is being delivered in stages. The Dog FOLA makes up Stage 6 of Boongaree. You can find more information on the project on the main Boongaree Get Involved webpage.

Council has prepared a draft preliminary concept design for the Boongaree dog FOLA to provide the Community with an idea of the proposed infrastructure, location and design.

Please view the Draft Preliminary Concept Design and provide your feedback through the Online Survey by Monday, 21 February 2021.

Council is inviting interested community members to provide input on the Draft Concept Plan of the Boongaree Dog Fenced Off-Leash Area (FOLA).

A Community Survey will be available in mid-January 2022 for the community and wider public to provide feedback on the draft Preliminary Concept Design, along with an on-site workshop in February 2022.

The workshop will be held on-site on Saturday, 12 February 2022 from 8am to10am at the western area of Boongaree. All are welcome. Register for the on-site workshop by submitting an Expression of Interest Form published on this web page.

Registrations close at midday on Friday 28 January 2022. Further details will be provided closer to the workshop date.

The Boongaree Dog FOLA draft Preliminary Concept Design is available to view in the Document Library on this web page.

We look forward to your valued feedback and participation throughout this process.

Updated signage has been installed at Narrawallee Beach and Narrawallee Inlet to reflect Council’s resolution (MIN21.804) at the Ordinary Meeting held on Tuesday, 2 November 2021:

RESOLVED MIN21.804

That Council, in relation to the dog off leash area boundaries and entry points at Narrawallee Beach:

1. Reinstate the Southern boundary of the dog off-leash area to be in line with the Victor Avenue steps (as per the Trial). (BA2 map)

2. Retain the Northern boundary of the dog off-leash area to be in line with the beach entry point opposite Parkinson Street. (BA 7 map)

3. Allow dog access from all beach entry points in between and including Victor Avenue steps and Parkinson Street, Narrawallee Beach. (BA2 to BA7 map)

4. Continue to allow on leash access from Surfers Avenue to Victor Street Steps via a transit zone – (BA1 to BA2 map).

5. Provide new signage to the beach entry points at 17 locations from Surfers Avenue to Narrawallee Inlet, as per the attached signage.

6. Agree that this resolution will be an interim solution and will be considered for assessment as part of the dog policy review.

The draft Review of Environmental Factors (REF) in relation to the dog off-leash area at Narrawallee Beach has been completed. In discussion with the project team and direction from the Council minute, signage has been erected to ensure compliance and clear messaging before and during the peak holiday period.

On 2 November 2021, at Council’s Ordinary Meeting, Council resolved (MIN21.804):

That Council, in relation to the dog off leash area boundaries and entry points at Narrawallee Beach:

1. Reinstate the Southern boundary of the dog off-leash area to be in line with the Victor Avenue steps (as per the Trial). (BA2 map)
2. Retain the Northern boundary of the dog off-leash area to be in line with the beach entry point opposite Parkinson Street. (BA 7 map)
3. Allow dog access from all beach entry points in between and including Victor Avenue steps and Parkinson Street, Narrawallee Beach. (BA2 to BA7 map)
4. Continue to allow on leash access from Surfers Avenue to Victor Street Steps via a transit zone – (BA1 to BA2 map).
5. Provide new signage to the beach entry points at 17 locations from Surfers Avenue to Narrawallee Inlet, as per the attached signage.
6. Agree that this resolution will be an interim solution and will be considered for assessment as part of the dog policy review.

A version of the map attachment can be viewed in the meeting minutes published on the Council website.

Council staff are now actioning the above resolution and new signage is anticipated to be erected in the coming weeks.

Council staff have commenced investigations into the cost and suitability of the land known as Culburra Park, behind the shops at Culburra Beach Shopping Centre for use as an off-leash dog park.

After the initial investigations, a presentation was provided to Councillors regarding outcomes and possible implications. Council staff will continue to investigate the proposed off-leash area at Culburra Park, which will include upcoming consultation.

A report will be submitted to Council at the conclusion of these investigations.

As per Council’s resolution (MIN20.916), Council staff are investigating a new dog fenced off-leash area (FOLA) at Lions Park Burrill Lake. It is anticipated the FOLA will be completed within the 2021/2022 Financial Year.

An online survey will be available in the coming weeks for the community to have their say on the future dog FOLA.

The Community Survey is now closed, and submissions received by Council up until now will be considered alongside the Community Engagement Summary Report being prepared by Gauge Consulting at the conclusion of the initial Community Consultation phase.

The data collected as part of the Community Survey will be analysed by Gauge Consulting. The outputs will be synthesised and will help inform the second round of Focus Group workshops.

Council is committed to a balanced and transparent approach to the Policy review, which includes allowing appropriate time for the analysis of feedback received. We will provide further information on an anticipated timeline for the remainder of the engagement process in the coming weeks.

We look forward to working collaboratively with the community to find a shared way forward for users of public space in the Shoalhaven.

Thank you for your input. this survey is now closed.

Council invites you to share your experiences with access areas for dogs within the City of Shoalhaven by providing feedback via the Online Survey.

The Online Survey has been informed by issues, opportunities and suggestions identified in stakeholder workshops and community focus groups.

We want to hear from all users of public space within the Shoalhaven. Whether you are a resident, visitor, dog owner or non-dog owner, your experiences and views are valuable. The Survey is open to all who live, work and visit the City of Shoalhaven and closes on Monday 26 July 2021.

Familiarise yourself with Council’s Access Areas for Dogs Policy and associated Dog Off-Leash Guide, prior to providing feedback.

If you cannot complete the survey online, please contact Council’s Community Planning & Projects Team on (02) 4429 3456 to assist you.

Please be advised that Council is still welcoming written submissions during this time. Send your detailed feedback through to council@shoalhaven.nsw.gov.au.

Your feedback will help us understand what you think encourages positive shared use of space in the Shoalhaven and will inform the approach to Council’s revised Access Areas for Dogs Policy and associated Dog Off-Leash Guide.

Tell us how we can improve the Access Areas for Dogs in the Shoalhaven by participating in the online survey or by attending a community drop-in session.

It is expected that all participants follow Council’s core values of Respect, Integrity, Adaptability and Collaboration throughout the Policy Review process. This includes being open to differing opinions, ideas and discussions that may include diverse and potentially opposing views. Participants must be understanding and kind to one another throughout this process, and adopt the same approach to Council staff and their representatives.

Please familiarise yourself with Council’s Access Areas for Dogs Policy and Dog Off-Leash Guide, prior to providing feedback.

Survey

Council is seeking feedback through an online survey open from Friday 25 June to Monday 26 July 2021.

If you cannot complete the survey online, please contact Council’s Community Planning & Projects Team on (02) 4429 3456 to assist you.

Community Drop-In Sessions

The drop-in sessions provide additional opportunities for you to speak with Council staff and Gauge Consulting about the policy review and answer questions on the Policy, the Policy Review and provide instructions on how to complete the survey to have your say.

Community Drop-In Sessions will be held at the following locations:

Where: Berry School of Arts (intersection of Princess St and Alexandra St)
When: Sunday 4 July
Time: 9:00am-12:00pm

Where: Nowra – Jellybean Park (Egans Lane)
When: Monday 5 July
Time: 11:00am-1:00pm

Where: Plantation Point Reserve (near toilet block)
When: Friday 16 July
Time: 7:00am-10:00am

Where: Mollymook Beach (intersection of Donlan Rd south with Mitchell Parade)
When: Friday 16 July
Time: 1:30pm-4:30pm

Where: Ulladulla Civic Centre (grassed area outside Centre)
When: Saturday 24 July
Time: 10:00am-1:00pm

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.