Draft Dogs in Open Space Strategy

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At the meeting on Monday 27 March 2023, Council adopted the Dogs in Open Space Strategy and Dogs in Open Space Policy. The community will be notified as changes are implemented. 

You can view the adopted strategy, policy and supporting documents on the city strategies, plans and reporting webpage.

With over 92,000 registered dogs in Lake Macquarie, balancing the open space needs of dog owners and the general community is important.

The strategy will guide future provision for dogs and their carers in Council’s open spaces over the next 10 years. In addition, the policy has been updated to ensure consistency with the strategy.

Public exhibition of the strategy and policy closed 30 November 2022.

At the meeting on Monday 27 March 2023, Council adopted the Dogs in Open Space Strategy and Dogs in Open Space Policy. The community will be notified as changes are implemented. 

You can view the adopted strategy, policy and supporting documents on the city strategies, plans and reporting webpage.

With over 92,000 registered dogs in Lake Macquarie, balancing the open space needs of dog owners and the general community is important.

The strategy will guide future provision for dogs and their carers in Council’s open spaces over the next 10 years. In addition, the policy has been updated to ensure consistency with the strategy.

Public exhibition of the strategy and policy closed 30 November 2022.

  • Feedback prompts changes to draft Lake Mac dogs strategy

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    Community feedback has prompted a rethink of proposed changes to off-leash dog exercise areas at Croudace Bay, as Lake Macquarie City Council takes its draft Dogs in Open Space Strategy back to residents for a final round of consultation.

    Council initially proposed reducing the size of the off-leash area at Thomas H Halton Park, but a raft of submissions during community consultation earlier this year made it clear that most people wanted the area retained.

    Section Manager Community Assets Brendan Callander said the revised proposal responded to those requests.

    “We’ve listened to the community, and the final proposal strikes a balance between what we’re required to do under the Companion Animals Act, and what the community wants us to provide at the site,” he said.

    Under the revised draft strategy, the existing off-leash area will be retained, except for a 10m buffer around the fenced playground and barbecue area.

    A bushland area in the park, and the new hit wall/basketball court area will also be off-limits.

    With more than 92,000 registered dogs in Lake Mac, the city has one of the highest dog ownership rates in NSW.

    Mr Callander said the draft strategy would guide Council’s planning for open spaces for dogs over the next 10 years.

    “That will apply to all the open spaces we manage, from parks and bushland to sportsground, beaches and the lake foreshore,” he said.

    The draft strategy outlines 10 new dog off-leash areas across the city, including at Catherine Hill Bay, Cameron Park, Hillsborough, Morisset Peninsula and Pinny Beach.

    Changes are proposed for 25 existing off-leash areas.

    Some would adjust boundaries, others would change the time periods where dogs can exercise off-lead, while others involve improvements to facilities to make them more dog-friendly.

    At Redhead Beach – one of the city’s most popular spots for exercising dogs – proposed changes would make the stretch of sand north of Second Creek off-limits for all dogs, whether they are on or off a lead.

    The off-leash area south of Second Creek would remain as-is.

    The change aligns with the Dogs in Open Space Framework, which is part of the draft strategy, placing a 400m shoreline buffer between all patrolled beaches in the city and dog off-leash areas.

    “We know people enjoy walking their dogs on Redhead Beach, and this adjustment will require a change of habit for some of them,” Mr Callander said.

    “But this will ensure we have an adequate stretch of beach available for people to enjoy without dogs. It will also remove confusion regarding the presence of dogs between First and Second Creek.”

    “It’s also important to remember that under the proposed change, dogs and their owners will still have one of the longest stretches of beach on the NSW coast to enjoy.”

    Dog owners would be able to directly access the Second Creek off-leash area from the existing car park on Cain Street.

    Go to shape.lakemac.com.au/dogs to provide feedback before 30 November.

    This feedback will be assessed before a final draft strategy is tabled to Council early next year.

  • Widespread changes proposed for Lake Mac dog exercise areas

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    Up to 10 new off-leash dog exercise areas are on the table in Lake Macquarie after extensive community consultation earlier this year.

    Lake Macquarie City Council will today launch its second round of consultation, aimed at gauging the community’s response to proposed changes to existing dog off-leash areas and potential sites for new facilities.

    They include 10 locations earmarked for possible future off-leash areas, including the northern end of Catherine Hill Bay Beach, Myuna Bay Foreshore Reserve, Pinny Beach and Pasterfield Reserve at Cameron Park.

    The proposal includes alterations to another 21 off-leash areas across Lake Mac to address potential conflict with other activities or the environment, or to broadly improve their function.

    Proposed changes include adjusting boundaries and changing time restrictions, while two sites – Pendlebury Park at Bonnells Bay and Bernie Goodwin Oval at Morisset – could be relocated to more suitable spots nearby.

    A further seven sites have no proposed changes.

    Section Manager Community Assets Brendan Callander said the proposed changes were in direct response to a suitability assessment completed for each site, and community feedback collected earlier this year.

    “We had over 800 responses to our first round of consultation, which really shows the passion and interest regarding dogs in open spaces in Lake Mac,” he said.

    “That hasn’t just come from dog owners. It’s also people using these various areas who might interact with dogs. Sometimes that’s a positive interaction, other times perhaps not so much, and we need to take all of that into account.”

    Feedback from the latest round will help finalise the draft Dogs in Open Space Strategy, expected to be placed on exhibition later this year.

    The strategy will provide the framework for future planning and management of dog off-leash areas including prioritising infrastructure and outlining where dogs are allowed off-leash, and where they are prohibited.

    Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said the city was home to more than 92,000 registered dogs – one of the highest ownership rates in NSW.

    “Lake Mac loves dogs, but with our growing population, smaller living spaces and finite open space, we need to have the right plans in place to keep them happy and healthy,” she said.

    “We’ve also got to balance those needs with what the wider community needs, expects and desires.”

    Council currently provides 30 dog facilities across Lake Mac, from fenced, formalised dog parks to shared off-leash areas on a number of beaches, suburban and lake foreshore reserves.

    Drop-in sessions will be held across the city as part of the latest round of consultation. Go to shape.lakemac.com.au/dogs for more information and to provide feedback before 22 August.

  • Dogs in Open Space Strategy

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    Lake Macquarie City Council is poised to launch a new Dogs in Open Space Strategy, with new figures revealing canine companionship has soared across the city since COVID-19.

    Section Manager Community Assets Brendan Callander said the number of dogs registered in Lake Macquarie had risen by more than 10,000 since 2018.

    “We’re now home to more than 93,000 registered dogs – the second-highest number of any local government area in NSW,” he said.

    “Growing numbers coupled with the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing urban density and smaller backyards has led to a surge in demand for open spaces where people can exercise and socialise their dogs.”

    “At the moment we have 29 off-leash areas at beaches, parks and reserves throughout the city.”

    Council is seeking public input to develop the strategy and gain an understanding of how dog off-leash areas should be used.

    Lake Mac dog owner Dominic May is one of thousands of locals who use existing off-leash areas to exercise and socialise their pets.

    "We love visiting the areas that are enclosed, because we know it's safe for our golden retriever, Arlo, and for other dogs he's playing with,” Mr May said.

    Fellow dog owner Glenn Brockman also supported the introduction of new off-leash areas.

    “Our favourite thing is that our dogs Camden and Brixton, feel safe in the space, to exercise, roam freely and socialise with all dogs big and small,” Mr Brockman said.

    Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said feedback is welcome from dog and non-dog owners to find out what would work well in the area.

    “The strategy will aim to provide safe and inviting spaces for dogs and owners, while balancing the recreational needs of the wider community,” Cr Fraser said.

    “Companion animals are an important part of their families’ lives and we need to provide facilities for them to be exercised freely where possible, practical and safe to do so.”

    Feedback received will be coupled with analysis and best practice research to develop a draft framework for the Dogs in Open Space Strategy.

    Once adopted, the strategy will guide Council for the next decade.

    Residents can have their say through an online survey and online map, while hard copy feedback forms can be found at all Lake Mac libraries.

    In-person pop-up sessions will also be held in early March.

    Go to shape.lakemac.com.au/dogs for more information.