Residents in the Davistown area are incensed at a Central Coast Council plan to relocate the popular Pippi Point off-leash dog area in Illoura Reserve to a new area further along the waterfront, which they say is totally inappropriate for the purpose.
The move is outlined in Council’s Dogs in Open Space Plan 2022-23 draft policy, which is on exhibition and open for public submissions until August 26.
A petition protesting the proposal, launched by Johny Row of Davistown and the Save Pippi Point campaign group of residents, had attracted more than 1.300 signatures as we went to press.
Row said Pippi Point is a community centre for people as much as dogs.
“I have met so many wonderful people and built so many wonderful friendships at the dog park, people I would never have bumped into anywhere else,” he said.
Davistown Progress Association President, Jenny McCulla, said Pippi Point had been an off-leash area for almost 40 years and the proposed new site, in Pine Ave Reserve, is totally unsuitable.
“There is no vehicle access and the reserve is full of trees so there is very little play area and it is always wet underfoot,” she said.
“There are also water birds and golden bell frogs present there.
“Residents in the surrounding streets are upset at the thought of more cars parking there.
“It is unjust to people who built there and have been there for years near a passive park for the use to suddenly be changed to a dog park.”
McCulla said the plan was poorly researched, with Pine Ave Reserve always full of water.
Council’s argument for decommissioning Pippi Point is that it is the habitat for the endangered bird, the bush stone curlew.
“There is already a fenced off area safe from dogs, and there are still no curlews using the site,” Row said in the petition.
“Does this bird exist here? Many locals have never seen the curlew.
“While the plight of this endangered bird is of great concern to us there is no evidence that the bird has nested in this spot for many, many years despite there being a substantial securely fenced area designated for their protection.
“It does live in other areas in Davistown and its wonderful call can be heard overnight in many other areas here and the surrounding suburbs.
“Even if the birds were nesting at Illoura currently then surely it is proof that they can coexist with dogs in this area as they do in many other areas of Australia.
“To restrict an area loved by so many in the hope that the bird ‘may’ choose to nest there one day is a theory not backed by any discernible evidence.”
Row said it is widely accepted that dogs that are well socialised and exercised are likely to be healthier, happier and less aggressive.
“Designated off-leash dog areas provide a safe community setting where dogs can play,” he said.
“We naturally tend to assume that off-leash parks are primarily for the benefit of our beloved dogs, but experienced dog park users know better.
“Off-leash parks offer just as many benefits to us humans as they do to dogs: both to dog owners (and) the wider community; (they are) extremely beneficial for our physical and mental health.”
The petition says there should be a focus on retaining and improving the Illoura Reserve site and on reducing usage intensity by allowing additional areas to be used for dogs to run and swim.
Saratoga resident Christine Killen said walking at Pippi Point for her and her dog and Trish Bourke of Davistown said her kelpie/cattle cross dog loves the area.
“She can run and chase balls then cool down at the Pippi Point beach,” Bourke said.
“We both get the exercise and interaction with friends we need.”
Saratoga resident and Save Pippi Point OLA team member Ann McMahon said for some, the Pippi Point park is as oasis to “meet with like-minded people with our doggies”.
Residents can sign the petition at https://www.change.org/p/save-pippi-point-dog-park-from-closure.
A spokesperson said Council encourages community discussion and engagement with the Draft Dogs in Open Space Action Plan with residents able to have a say on the community consultation website yourvoiceourcoast.com/dogs.
“Council values input from a diverse range of opinions, and will use all feedback to inform the final Dogs In Open Space Action Plan,” the spokesperson said.
Terry Collins