Ordinary Council Meeting - Hastings Council - NSW Government

PORT MACQUARIE-HASTINGS COUNCIL
Consultation
A copy of Project working parties Consultation Strategy is attached. This outlines the basic
strategy for the development of the new policy and selection process for determining suitable
areas for off-leash parks.
A series of additional community engagement activities have been planned for the period that
the
draft policy is on public exhibition in order to obtain community feedback on the policy and the
leash-free site options. These activities include:
• Promotion of the exhibition through free media including newspapers, television and
radio.
• Advertising in "Council Matters" local newspaper page, on local radio and on the Council
Website
• Promotion to the Community Reference Group
• Targeted advertising with veterinary clinics and other stakeholders
• On-line survey to obtain quantitative data on preferred sites
Internal consultation was carried via a Working Party made up of:
• Senior Ranger, Ian Chetcuti
• Manager, Development & Environmental Compliance, Tim Atherton
• Manager, Recreation & Building, Liam Bulley
• Communications Co-ordinator, Lyndal Harper
Initial community engagement to guide the development of the draft policy was based around a
survey and information on Council's interactive web portal, PMHC Listening.
A breakdown of the initial community engagement results is attached along with a summary of
the comments received.
It is proposed to exhibit the new draft Policy and proposed leash-free areas for a period of
28 days.
Planning and Policy Impact
The development of the new policy will require additional planning in relation to the allocation of
appropriate reserve areas for the establishment of leash-free areas.
The new policy would replace the existing "Dogs on Beaches" policy.
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