Dogs in the Public Domain - Investigations, Trials and Projects

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.