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.
Barwon Coast CEO Gary McPike said this review was about putting in place common sense rules that balanced public safety and environmental impacts with the need to continue allowing locals or visitors to enjoy the beach with their dogs.
“We believe the proposed changes will result in many benefits including, for the first time, answering a significant community call for a dog-free area on Ocean Grove beach,” Mr McPike said.
“Rules and signage will be simplified across the coast and where horses currently access 13th Beach, this area will be designated a horse zone with dogs allowed on lead to create a safe beach experience.
“No final decisions have been made about where dogs can be walked and what areas are potentially set aside as exclusion zones.
“We’ll be supporting the City’s consultation and engaging with our community through this, to ensure we get this right.”
Mr McPike said Barwon Coast was not looking to stop the local community walking their dogs on the beach.
“I know this is a wonderful pastime and a great part of living by the coast,” he said.
“The proposed regulations still allow for the majority of the Barwon Coast beach areas for dog activities.”