Following Central Coast Council’s current review into their Draft Responsible Dog Ownership Policy, Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch, is calling on more funding to be made available to create off-leash areas.
Tesch said open spaces help foster healthier communities through opportunities for exercise and socialising with fellow dog-owners.
“Dogs really are our best friends, and they deserve to have access to large open public spaces to play and run.
“The good thing about dogs too is that they encourage us to get out and exercise and engage with other locals,” Tesch said.
“When managed effectively, considering both public safety and animal welfare, it is possible for more of our public areas to be off-leash.
“There are many accessible and appropriate areas where we can do this, and when park infrastructure is updated, it is a consideration that needs to be taken into account more often,” Tesch said.
It comes as major upgrades have been announced for parks across the Peninsula, including $1.5M to Rogers Park and $8.25M for the Peninsula Recreation Precinct.
Ettalong resident, Ian Tylee, said he is frustrated that the extra funding does not include areas for dogs to be allowed off the leash.
“They are spending millions on park upgrades and yet there are no plans for dog-friendly areas.
“They’re getting skate parks, basketball courts, but what about us?” Tylee said.
“Yes, you’ve got the beach but at my age my knees are bad so I can’t walk along there too much, and there are many older people like me. Also, they’ve got all this negative messaging in the paper with ‘keep your dogs on a leash’ yet do not provide any positive messaging or solutions.”
“The solutions don’t need to be expensive – it can be as simple as timed periods for off-leash dog access, or temporary fencing.”
Current designated dog off-leash locations on the Peninsula include Araluen Dr Rd Reserve, Dulkara Rd Playground, The Esplanade at Ettalong, Ettalong Oval, North Burge Rd Reserve, Patonga Beach, Putty Beach Rd Reserve, Pearl Beach and Sorrento Rd Reserve.
Source:
Media release, March 4
Member for Gosford, Liesl Tesch