Dogs in the Public Domain - Investigations, Trials and Projects

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On 11 June 2019, Shoalhaven City Council resolved to consult with the community in relation to additional off-leash dog areas on a case-by-case basis.

This page provides updates on the various investigations, trials and projects that are being delivered to enhance the experience of dogs in the public domain.

The Access Areas for Dogs Policy is Council’s guiding document in relation to dogs in the public domain. The Policy provides conduct guidelines and defines off-leash, on-leash and prohibited dogs areas for land and assets within the ownership, management, care and control of Council.

The Access Areas for Dogs Policy is currently being review along with Council's Dog Off-Leash Guide. Please visit the Review of Access Areas for Dogs Policy Get Involved web page for news, updates and opportunities to contribute to the review.

Stay Informed

Subscribe via the 'Stay Informed' function on this page to receive updates and follow the progress of the Dogs in the Public Domain project.

On 11 June 2019, Shoalhaven City Council resolved to consult with the community in relation to additional off-leash dog areas on a case-by-case basis.

This page provides updates on the various investigations, trials and projects that are being delivered to enhance the experience of dogs in the public domain.

The Access Areas for Dogs Policy is Council’s guiding document in relation to dogs in the public domain. The Policy provides conduct guidelines and defines off-leash, on-leash and prohibited dogs areas for land and assets within the ownership, management, care and control of Council.

The Access Areas for Dogs Policy is currently being review along with Council's Dog Off-Leash Guide. Please visit the Review of Access Areas for Dogs Policy Get Involved web page for news, updates and opportunities to contribute to the review.

Stay Informed

Subscribe via the 'Stay Informed' function on this page to receive updates and follow the progress of the Dogs in the Public Domain project.

  • Petition for New Dogs Off-leash Area at Dolphin Point

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    At the Strategy and Assets meeting on Tuesday 9 June, a petition that was signed by 1,102 persons was presented in relation to a new timed dog off-leash area at Dolphin Point.

    The request is for the area to the east of Burrill Lake Lions Park, south past the tourist park to the inlet at Dolphin Point Reserve. The map below shows a general area proposed. The times proposed are 3.00pm to 10.00am during winter months and 4.00pm to 10.00am during summer months.

    We would like to know if you agree with this proposal.

    Please take the Quick Poll on this page by 5 pm, Friday 3 July 2020.


  • New Notice of Motion - Clifton Street Dog Park, Sanctuary Point

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    A Notice of Motion was considered at the Strategy and Assets meeting on Tuesday 9 June In relation to Clifton Street Dog Park at Sanctuary Point. The Council resolved:

    RESOLVED (Clr Gash / Clr Proudfoot) MIN20.398

    That Council:

    1. Provide details as to the existing facilities for the Clifton Street dog park in Sanctuary Point and provide details of future facilities to be provided in that location.

    2. Staff implement improvements identified as operational matters in the interim.

    Council staff will now implement necessary improvements and a report back to Council on the existing and any future facilities at Clifton Street Dog Park.

  • Council Resolution - Funding

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    At the Strategy and Assets meeting on Tuesday 9 June, Council resolved the following:

    RESOLVED (Clr White / Clr Proudfoot) MIN20.403

    That Council:

    1. Accept the interim report for information and receive a further in relation to dog off-leash areas once all current dog off-leash trials have been completed.

    2. Allocate a budget of $35,500 from savings within the Community Projects 2019/20 Budget for the installation of signage and fencing at West Street, Greenwell Point to formalise the dog off-leash area.

    3. Support the provision of in-kind contributions from Council to the value of $29,850 to formalise the dog off leash area at Thurgate Oval in the form of letters of support, site survey, waiver of development fees, rubbish bins, landscaping materials and water supply reticulation to Bomaderry Community Inc in their endeavours to obtain grant and other funding for this project.

    4. Investigate further upgrade of existing stairs at Victor Avenue, Narrawallee and provide costings in the final report.

    5. Ensure that Council Rangers continue to patrol the Paradise Beach Sanctuary Point and South Narrawallee Beach areas on a regular basis to reinforce that dogs must be on a leash.

    Council staff will now work towards establishing the signage and fencing at West Street, Greenwell Point to formalise the new dog off-leash area and continue to work with the Bomaderry Community Inc in relation to Thurgate Oval Dog Off-leash Area. The trial at Narrawallee Beach will continue to be monitored and report will be provided following the end of the trial.

  • Upcoming Report to Council

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    A report will go to the Strategy and Assets Meeting on Tuesday 9 June 2020 in relation to the current dog off-leash trials.

    The report aims to provide an interim update on the various trials that are currently in place. The business paper is expected to be published on Friday 5 June 2020 and can be viewed on Council's Agenda and Minutes webpage.

    Council meetings are currently closed to the public due to COVID-19 restrictions, however the public are able view the meeting live, via webcast, on Council's website.

  • Narrawallee Dog Off Leash Trial

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    The Dogs Off-Leash trial, which commenced at Narrawallee Beach at Christmas time 2019, was based on two objectives.

    Objective 1: Update Dog Off-Leash times to bring them into line with those on all other Shoalhaven beaches

    Objective 2: Put in place a Dog On-Leash access across the southern Dog Prohibited area, to provide access from the south of Surfers Avenue, to the Dog Off-Leash area on the main beach.

    The trial ends on 25 December 2020.
  • Dog On Leash Access - Narrawallee Beach

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    At its 10 December meeting, Council resolved (MIN16050) to rescind MIN19.578 and approve plans to:
    1. Create a 10m wide Dog On-leash strip from the Surfers Avenue unformed beach access area (Shoalhaven Water access road), to the start of the Dog On-Leash area of Narrawallee Beach.
    2. Amend the existing Dog Off-leash guide diagram for Narrawallee Beach, to alter the Dog Prohibited area by redesignating a 10m wide strip between the Surfers Avenue unformed beach access and the Victor Avenue stairs to the north, as Dog On-leash. Install new signage at the northern and southern limits of the proposed Dog On-leash strip.
    3. Investigate the feasibility of an upgrade of the trial track west of the Dog Prohibited area of the beach, to allow dog owners to walk their dogs between the Surfers Avenue stairs and the Victor Avenue stairs to avoid walking across the Dog Prohibited area.
    4. Conduct the Dog Off-leash 12-month trial prior to Christmas, using the same times as those used in the 2015-16 trial (4pm-8am, 1 October – 30 April and 3pm-10am, 1 May – 30 September) consistent with other Dog Off-leash locations in the Shoalhaven.

    Council staff have now installed updated signs at all principal beach entry points to enable the
    trial to commence on Christmas Day. Supplementary signs will be installed in early January 2020.

  • Greenwell Point Dog On-leash Trial

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    New Dog On-leash signs and pathway stencils, have been installed at Titania Park and Apex Park, Adelaide Street Reserve, Greenwell Point and will be trialled for a six-month period, ending 30 June 2020. The signs and stencils are located at reserve entry points including the fish shop in the south-east and Church Street in the north-west. Pathway stencils are also spaced at 100m intervals along the length of the reserve and adjacent to children’s play equipment. After the six months, feedback will be invited from the community and a full report given to Council.

    Additional signs have also been installed at Paradise Point Park, Sanctuary Point, as well as along the Basin walking track to the west, following consultation with Sanctuary Point Community Pride.



  • Dog Off Leash Area – Thurgate Oval, Bomaderry

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    17 September 2019

    It was resolved at Council’s Strategy and Assets Committee meeting held on Tuesday 13 August 2019 that Council:

    1. Implement a 12 month trial for a designated 24/7 off leash dog area at Thurgate Oval Bomaderry.
    2. Provide the appropriate signage and information for the trial area.
    3. A further report be provided to Council on the outcomes and community feedback following the trial or as required.
    4. CEO provide a report back to Council on fencing options available and costing to enable grant applications.
    5. Senior staff meet with Bomaderry Community Inc to discuss options and way forward for this project.
    For background information, please refer to the Strategy and Assets Committee meeting agenda.
  • Dog On Leash Access - Narrawallee Beach from Surfers Ave

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    12 September 2019

    At its meeting of 27 August, Council resolved (MIN19.578) to conduct a six months trial for dog walkers seeking to access Narrawallee Beach from Surfers Avenue.

    The trial is required to address the following:

    1. The required trial access route from Surfers Avenue is to be via the Shoalhaven Water thoroughfare to its end, then on to the rear of the beach keeping close to the escarpment, proceeding to the foot of the Victor Avenue stairs and then on to the designated “dog off-leash” area” to the north.
    2. From Surfers Avenue to the Victor Avenue stairs all dogs must be kept on a leash.

    The trial is not to commence until: all necessary signage is installed; access from the Shoalwater track from the beach is made good and: in the order of five bollards are installed along the rear of the beach (base of escarpment) to the Victor Avenue stairs. In addition, pictorial bollard signage directing dog walkers to keep to the escarpment side is a requirement of the trial.

  • Further Report to Council - Access Areas for Dogs Policy Review

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    20 August 2019

    In accordance with Council’s previous resolution relating to the Access Areas for Dogs Policy Review, it is anticipated that a report will be considered by Council at its Strategy and Assets Committee Meeting on Tuesday 10 September 2019 in relation to the following components of the resolution:

    • Seeking additional funding for Ranger Services, and
    • Advising Council of progress on the trial of the pathway street signage on the Adelaide Street Reserve, Greenwell Point.

    In relation to the latter, additional signage and pathway stencil locations have been determined and discussions have commenced in relation to costings and installation timeframe. It is anticipated that the work will be completed by November 2019.

    It is anticipated that the report will be included on the meeting’s agenda, which will be available by Friday 6 September 2019 on Council’s website.

Page last updated: 18 Mar 2024, 03:05 PM