OLD FAQs

Ten locations have been identified as potential future off-leash sites. See the Dogs in Open Space Discussion Paper for more information.

1. Catherine Hill Bay, northern end of Catherine Hill Bay Beach
2. Nords Wharf, Nords Wharf Oval
3. Cameron Park, Pasterfield Reserve
4. Edgeworth, Reserve off Turnbull Street
5. Argenton, Kindyerra Park
6. Hillsborough, Reserve off Hillsborough Road
7. Myuna Bay Foreshore Reserve
8. Morisset Peninsula, Sunshine Park
9. Cooranbong, North Cooranbong onsite sports facility
10. Pinny Beach

We are now testing these proposed sites with the community. Take our online survey to have your say by 22 August 2022.

There are changes proposed to the sixteen dog off-leash areas listed below. 

We are now testing proposed changes to these dog off-leash areas with the community. Take our online survey to have your say by 22 August 2022.

The changes include removing natural areas, adjusting boundaries due to conflicting use and/or changing time restrictions. 

1. Barnsley - Taylor Park
2. Belmont North - Lenaghan Park
3. Blacksmiths, Dobinson Reserve
4. Bolton Point - Bay Road
5. Booragul Foreshore Reserve
6. Cardiff Park, Orchard Street
7. Carey Bay, Hampton Street Reserve
8. Caves Beach (Hams Beach)
9. Croudace Bay (Unfenced), Thomas H Halton Park
10. Dora Creek, Douglas Street
11. Gateshead, Goundary Street
12. Redhead Beach
13. Toronto, Toronto Lions Park
14. West Wallsend, Gregory Park
15. Windale, Bahloo Reserve
16. Wyee, Wyee Oval

See the Dogs in Open Space Discussion Paper for more information.

Two off-leash sites are proposed to be relocated:

• Pendlebury Park, Bonnells Bay is proposed to be relocated to Bonnells Bay Park
• Bernie Goodwin Oval, Morisset is proposed to be relocated to Gibson Oval, Morisset.

We are now testing the proposed relocation of these dog off-leash areas with the community. Take our online survey to have your say by 22 August 2022.

For more information, see the Dogs in Open Space Discussion Paper.

No changes are proposed for the seven existing off-leash areas listed below. 

1. Blackalls Park Reserve
2. Coal Point, Gurranba Reserve
3. Croudace Bay (Fenced), Thomas H Halton Park
4. Marks Point, Haddon Crescent
5. Speers Point, Creek Reserve Road
6. Swansea, Thomas Humphreys Reserve
7. Valentine, Ruston Avenue

See the Dogs in Open Space Discussion Paper for more information.

Recent community consultation has highlighted issues with regards the functionality of seven existing off-leash areas, most notably with regards to proximity to high traffic roads. See the Dogs in Open Space Discussion Paper for specific sites and options to improve functionality.

1. Blacksmiths, Dobinson Reserve
2. Blacksmiths, Nine Mile Beach
3. Buttaba, Foreshore Reserve
4. Charlestown, adjacent to netball courts
5. Rathmines, Rathmines Park
6. Redhead, Molly O’Connor Park
7. Toronto, Toronto Lions Park

You can provide feedback via one of the following channels:

• Online survey
• Email: [email protected]
• Mail: ATT: Donna Mitchell, Box 1906, Hunter Region, Mail Centre, NSW 2310
• In-person at one of our drop-in sessions.

Feedback closes 22 August 2022.

For any general enquiries, please call 4921 0333 or email [email protected]. The Project Team will respond as soon as possible.

For a full overview, please refer to our Dogs in Open Space Discussion Paper. 

Or, click a pin on our online map to view the proposed changes, relocations or additions for your location of interest.

Community feedback received during this second phase of consultation will be reviewed. Amendments will be made where appropriate.

Further work will be undertaken on the following prior to the preparation of the draft strategy:

• Dog prohibited areas
• Education, regulation and signage
• Consideration to the diversity of dogs in the design of dog parks, eg, size, activity level.

An opportunity to provide feedback on the draft Dogs in Open Space Strategy will be provided during the final public exhibition phase later this year

Phase Three consultation 

During Phase Three consultation (late 2022), we will invite the community to provide feedback on the draft Dogs in Open Space Strategy that will be placed on public exhibition.

This feedback will then be considered in finalising the document prior to a Council report requesting for adoption of the strategy.

This phase of consultation is focused on gaining community feedback on the proposed changes to existing off-leash areas and potential locations for future dog off-leash sites.

All of Council’s existing off-leash areas, have been assessed against a Site Suitability Criterion. The aim of this exercise was to assess the functionality of specific sites and investigate issues raised during the phase one community consultation. The assessment has identified a number of proposed changes to address issues including conflict between dogs and adjacent uses, incompatibility with natural areas, timed use and site functionality.

The suitability of potential new off-leash sites to address gaps in provision have also been assessed using the criteria.  

The framework for the strategy and the basis for the proposals being presented during this consultation is outlined in the supporting discussion paper.  

The framework includes the site suitability criteria, provision standards and embellishment standards. The strategy is underpinned by a set of Guiding Principles.

Lake Macquarie has approximately 92,336 dogs and a population of 208,615, making dog owners a key user of our open spaces.

With growing population, smaller living spaces and finite open space, Council needs to plan strategically for the future provision of open spaces for dogs to exercise.

The Companion Animal Act 1998 legislates requirements for both dog owners and local Councils in managing the presence of dogs in public places.  Council has a legislative responsibility to provide a minimum of one   area and to provide effective and responsible care and management of dogs within the LGA.

The Dogs in Public Open Space Policy provides a very high-level direction for the provision and management of dogs in open space.

All open spaces owned or managed by Council including parks, bushland, foreshores and beaches.

Council provides 30 dog facilities distributed across the city.

Please refer to Council's website for more information about locations.

Dog prohibited areas are areas where dogs are not permitted.

Under the Companion Animals Act 1998, dogs are prohibited in the following places (whether or not they are leashed or otherwise controlled):

• 10 metres of any children’s play spaces in a public place
• 10 metres of any food preparation or food consumption spaces.

Under the Act, Councils also have the authority to prohibit dogs from other public spaces including:

• Recreation spaces including sports fields where organised games are played
• Public bathing spaces (including beach spaces)
• Wildlife protection spaces (such as shorebird nesting habitats on the beaches and rock platforms of the LGA)

Lake Macquarie Council currently identifies the following areas as dog prohibited:

• Green Point Foreshore Reserve, Valentine/Belmont

The following Council managed beaches have signage outlining the distance by which dogs are prohibited from the patrolled area:

• Blacksmiths Beach
• Caves Beach
• Catherine Hill Bay
• Redhead Beach.

Dogs are allowed on-leash in all open spaces that are not prohibited areas as currently defined in the Companion Animals Act, Council's Dog Policy and/or Plan of Management for specific areas.

The Strategy, informed by background research and analysis, will provide a framework for the future provision of dog areas.  

A review of dog prohibited areas will be undertaken in developing the strategy and form part of the community consultation process.