Borough considers ease to dogs on beaches laws

THE Borough of Queenscliffe is proposing to drop restrictions preventing people from taking their dogs to most of the region’s beaches during summer.

The changes would allow on-leash dogs at most beaches year-round, as opposed to the existing restrictions that prohibit them from almost all beaches from 9am-8pm between December 15 and February 28.

“Prohibiting owners and their dogs from safely using the local beaches for 11 hours per day does not appear to reflect the preferred beach use patterns of our locals and prevents them from accessing most of our beautiful coastline during the most favourable time of year,” a council spokesperson said.

The proposed changes would be in addition to the existing off-leash area at Narrows Beach.

“By simplifying these laws, it would be easier for residents and visitors to spend quality time with their pets while keeping beachgoers and the natural habitat safe,” the spokesperson said.
“Our residents and visitors already demonstrate an extremely high compliance rate with local dog laws, and removing these restrictions would reward good behaviour while further promoting the area to dog owners.

“However, we also understand that we have a responsibility to protect our fragile local wildlife, as well as those in the community that may wish to enjoy the beach without dogs present.

“Therefore, Council is also asking you to consider and nominate an appropriate stretch of coastline where we could provide a year-round designated dog-free area for beachgoers.”

Borough mayor Ross Ebbels said the community response to a survey on the issue had been “hard and fast”, with over 570 responses within the first two days of it going live on October 19.
“I imagine this would resonate in lots of communities,” he said.

Cr Ebbels said the new laws could be implemented before the peak summer period, but noted that the survey does not close until November 16.

“Given the large number of responses, that may affect the time it takes to implement the changes,” he said.

“There’s always been a bit of confusion about when and where people can walk there dogs over summer, this will reduce that,” he said.

People can comment on the issue at queenscliffe.vic.gov.au/Your-Council/News-and-projects/Current-projects/Dogs-on-beachesUnder existing restrictions Narrows Beach is one of the only year-round spots for dogs.