GOOD DOG

New northern Bellarine dog orders expected to be implemented in July

BELLARINE Bayside anticipates new dog control orders for the northern Bellarine will be adopted and implemented in July.

During the past year, the Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management and the City of Greater Geelong have been working with the community to review the current approach to managing dogs in public areas on the northern Bellarine.

City of Greater Geelong health and local laws manager Steve Sodomaco said it was anticipated the council might be able to consider and adopt the northern Bellarine dog orders at its July meeting, at which time the new orders would be implemented.

Mr Sodomaco said the new dog orders would have a focus on “seasonal” on-leash and off-leash zones, and on-leash zones to protect environmental values and high use recreational areas.

Dogs will be required to be under effective control at all times, whether on or off leash.

Bellarine Bayside’s chief executive officer John Nankervis said the implementation of the new northern Bellarine dog orders would be accompanied by new and clear signage and an ongoing community education program that focused on responsible dog ownership, effective control, and respectfully sharing our public spaces.

He said the program would be designed and rolled out with the help of the Woofers and Walkers Responsible Dog Owners’ Group.

“There will also be an increased presence of the city’s enforcement officers,” he said.

As public land manager of the foreshore reserves on the northern Bellarine, Bellarine Bayside has the lead responsibility for setting the dog control orders on its reserves, in consultation with local communities.

The city will take on the responsibilities for enforcement of the dog orders, once they are adopted by the council.

After releasing a preliminary consultation draft set of dog orders in May 2017 and receiving more than 120 public submissions, the Bellarine Bayside Committee made some changes to the draft to respond to the submissions and in August 2017 formally referred the draft dog orders to council for its adoption.

The city is in the process of reviewing its Dogs in Public Places Policy, which is a critical document in determining dog orders. A key part of the review will be for the council to engage with the community and receive feedback on the proposals.

Meanwhile, summer timeshare restrictions for dogs on beaches in Point Lonsdale and Queenscliff have been lifted until December 15.