Community to have its say on dogs at beaches

Community members are encouraged to give feedback on a proposal to change dog access rules on beaches between Breamlea and Collendina, which are managed by the Barwon Coast Committee of Management (BCCM).
The proposed changes by BCCM have been informed by the committee’s independent research on the challenges faced by beach users and community engagement undertaken in the past few years.
The BCCM findings revealed dogs off the leash were the main issue affecting beach users’ enjoyment; and owners’ controlling their dogs and access to beach areas were the major management challenges.
The proposed changes aim to simplify dog zones for dog owners with fewer control orders and enhance the enjoyment of all beach users.

Four key changes have been recommended:
Establishing longer ‘seasonal’ zones (beaches 16W-20W, 21W-24W, 24W-27W and 34W-36W), allowing dogs on-leash at certain times of the day during certain periods of the year;
Banning dogs from the Ocean Grove main beach between 13W–16W, with an off-beach ‘walkthrough’ pathway;
13th Beach between 36W–40W is proposed to be a “Horse Zone” where dogs are required to be on-leash at all times; and
The number of dog control orders would be reduced.

The City-led public feedback process will run for six weeks from October 14 and will involve four drop-in sessions in Ocean Grove and Barwon Heads.
Mayor Bruce Harwood said council wanted to hear from all beach users, whether they owned a dog or not, on these proposed dog control rules.
“It’s important we make our world-class beaches along the Bellarine as enjoyable, safe and accessible for all,” Mr Harwood said.