Ordinary Council Meeting - Hastings Council - NSW Government

PORT MACQUARIE-HASTINGS COUNCIL
Environment
Meeting Date: 16/02/2011 - Environment
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Item 25
Subject DOGS IN PUBLIC OPEN SPACES POLICY
Director MATT ROGERS (DES)
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At Council's Ordinary Council Meeting of 28/4/2010 Council resolved to review all current policies
in relation to dogs in public places, facilities and conditions in conjunction with a public
consultation process. That the review is to be completed and placed on public exhibition by
October 2010. This report presents the results of the review.
RECOMMENDATION
1. That Council place the proposed policy "Dogs in Public Open Spaces"on public
exhibition for comment for a period of 28 days, with any proposed changes being
reported back to Council.
2. That in addition to existing leash-free dog exercise areas on nominated beaches,
Council consider the establishment of three (3) leash-free parks, one in each of the
major residential areas namely Port Macquarie, Camden Haven and Wauchope.
3. That leash-free area options be subject to a community engagement process in
association with the exhibition of the draft Dogs in Public Open Spaces Policy.
Discussion
In accordance with the resolutions from the Ordinary Council Meeting of 28 April 2010, a full
review of Council's dog policies has been undertaken and incorporated into one consolidated
policy. An internal Working Party and a public engagement process informed the draft policy
which caters for the exercising of dogs on beaches and in other public open spaces.
This report makes several recommended changes to the existing Dogs on Beaches Policy,
together with the proposal to establish additional off-leash exercise areas within Council's public
reserve network.
The draft Policy is attached below.
An important part of Council's approach to dogs and public open spaces will be the
identification and establishment of leash-free parks in suitable locations across the Local
Government area. It is suggested that at least one leash-free area in a park/reserve in each of
the major urban areas, Wauchope, Camden Haven and Port Macquarie, be considered. Staff
have carried out a site evaluation process in this respect and have identified a number of
options and costs associated with the necessary establishment works.
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