THE Surf Coast Shire is still open to the idea of creating a dog park in Torquay, about a year after it tested community interest in the concept.<\/p>\n
Community surveying during preparation of the shire’s existing Domestic Animal Management Plan showed some expressions of interest in such a park being established to help ease pressure on other areas, and the shire ran a month of public consultation in November 2019.<\/p>\n
There are several off-leash areas in towns across the shire, but no dedicated parks that provide a fenced-in space where people can let their dogs off the leash and play with other dogs.<\/p>\n
If the park were to go ahead, it would only be open to vaccinated and registered dogs.<\/p>\n
This week, the shire’s general manager of environment and development Ransce Salan said there had been a “great response” to its November 2019 survey, with 228 people contributing feedback.<\/p>\n
“A total of 91 per cent of respondents reported that they would use a dog park, with 83 per cent of those saying they would use it on at least a weekly basis. Only three per cent indicated clear objection to a dog park.<\/p>\n
“Importantly, the survey also identified that people are having good experiences with existing arrangements.<\/p>\n
“More than 60 per cent currently take their dogs to off-leash areas including beaches, and of those, 80 per cent said they had positive experiences.<\/p>\n
“The findings suggest that while a dog park might be popular, it is not an urgent priority, but should remain a consideration as Torquay continues to grow.”<\/p>\n
He said the council would be consulting with the community about the shire’s dog regulations and a new Domestic Animal Management Plan in the second half of next year.<\/p>\n
“At this time we will be asking for community input about whether the current off\/on leash areas are appropriate.<\/p>\n
“This is when we will next consider if a dog park in Torquay is required to ensure we have the right mix of off-leash options for dog owners.<\/p>\n
“In the meantime, our Open Space Planning team will consider potential site options for a future dog park in Torquay.”<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Surf Coast Shire is still open to the idea of creating a dog park in Torquay, about a year after it tested community interest in the concept. Community surveying during preparation of the shire’s existing Domestic Animal Management Plan showed some expressions of interest in such a park being established to help ease pressure […]<\/p>\n