Borough to trial two new off-leash dog areas

THE Borough of Queenscliffe will trial two new off-leash dog areas, following strong community support for additional spaces for dogs to exercise and socialise.

The move follows a survey, conducted by the borough through September, in which 96 per cent of respondents indicated they were in favour of establishing a new off-leash space.

As part of the consultation process, residents were asked to provide feedback on three potential sites: the Point Lonsdale Lighthouse Reserve, the southern end of Citizen Park between Stokes Street and the water tower, and the reserve surrounding the Queenscliff Lonsdale Yacht Club, north of King Street.

The Lighthouse Reserve received the highest level of support, nominated by 47 per cent of respondents, followed by the yacht club reserve, at 33 per cent.

Both sites will now be trialled over a 12-month period, complementing the existing off-leash dog beach at the Narrows. The trial is expected to begin later this month or early in the new year.

A spokesperson for the borough said the success of the two sites as off-leash dog areas will be measured based on the extent of their usage, the impact on parking and traffic, community safety, and the number and nature of any incidents reported to the council, as well as the environmental impacts.

Some preparation work is required on the trial sites – including the installation of bins, dog poo bag dispensers and signage – before the trial can begin. The borough first needs consent from the state government, as the landowner, to complete these works.

“Council is in the process of making an application to the state government to permit the installation of bins and signage to support the trial,” the borough spokesperson said.

“Council does not anticipate difficulty formalising this consent, however the process can take up to several weeks.”

The decision to run the trial follows a petition, signed by more than 500 people and received by the council in July, calling for Royal Park Oval in Point Lonsdale to be considered for an off-leash dog trial when it is not being used for local sport.

The borough quickly rejected Royal Park Oval as a potential site in favour of spaces less frequented by sporting groups.

“After considering several off-leash open spaces for dogs in the borough including Royal Park Oval, council’s preference is to keep Royal Park Oval as a sporting and recreational oval that continues to allow dogs on leash,” the borough spokesperson said.