Dog rules to change in Borough

THE Borough of Queenscliffe has concluded its review into its laws about dogs on beaches, determining that summer dog restrictions would start earlier to ensure effective and consistent dog management.

Adopting recommendations made at the March meeting, the council resolved that the restrictions would be brought forward from December 15 to December 1 and run through until the end of February, and that dogs would not be permitted on any beach in the municipality between 9am-8pm each day during this time.

The changes follow the council supporting a proposal by officers in September last year to undertake community engagement about the potential to amend the dog restrictions on beaches and adopt a year-round dog on leash management approach.

There were more than 1,250 respondents to the consultation, with an almost two-thirds majority (65 per cent) in favour of the change, while a smaller majority (54 per cent) also supported the introduction of a year-round designated dog-free zone.

While there was strong community support to changes to dogs being on leashes year-round, there were also some opposing views from the community and stakeholders to not change dog restrictions at all.

Borough mayor Isabelle Tolhurst said the amended laws were consistent, well understood and more closely aligned with key stakeholders such as Parks Victoria, which prohibits dogs on beaches from December 1 to the last day of February from 8am-8pm.

“Alignment of dog restrictions across beaches in the Borough shows good collaboration with key agencies and land managers in our region and streamlines set aside times for users.”

“Key issues surrounding the council’s inquiry on this matter, including environmental protection of our sensitive coastline, community safety and compliance with existing but now more consistent laws remains important work for the council.

“The lessons learned from this engagement with the community will inform improvements to future consultations.”

Borough officers will liase with Parks Victoria to fully align the dog restrictions hours to 9am-8 pm in December across both agencies, ensuring effective and consistent dog management on the beaches of the borough.

Despite the changes, dogs may still be exercised off-leash at the Narrows Beach provided the owner has the dog under effective control at all times.

For more, head to queenscliffe.vic.gov.au