Central Coast Council will revise and simplify its draft Dogs in Open Spaces Action Plan following community backlash over some of its recommendations, with CEO David Farmer giving an assurance no changes will be made to existing dog access areas over summer.
Farmer said the status quo would remain while Council worked on a second draft policy.
“We identified three key issues from the discussion paper where there wasn’t consensus,” he said.
“These were the timing of dog activity on beaches and the proposed relocation of the Pippi Point off-leash area at Davistown and The Haven off-leash area.
“We plan to narrow it down and put out a more concise discussion paper focussing on these core issues following further scientific research (in relation to environmental concerns at Davistown) and a risk assessment (of The Haven).
“We will be able to work through the issue (of off-leash access) timing on beaches in a satisfactory manner.”
All three core issues attracted community petitions.
A petition launched by Johny Row of Davistown and the Save Pippi Point Off Leash Area Campaign Team of residents attracted close to 2,500 signatures.
Row addressed the December 13 Council meeting at the open forum, urging Council to simplify the draft plan.
Of particular concern is the proposed decommissioning of Illoura Reserve (Pippi Point as it is referred to by locals) in Davistown,” he said.
“We are strongly against the decommissioning or relocation of this site.
“This area has been a very popular off leash area for almost 40 years and is a hugely important community asset.”
Row said Council’s proposal to close the off-leash area to create a site for a nesting pair of Bush Stone Curlew was flawed, with no records or anecdotal evidence of them ever nesting, breeding or roosting there.
He suggested a solution could be the erection of temporary fencing during breeding season, as happened for Little Terns at the Entrance North.
He said reported sightings of endangered Green and Golden Bell Frogs in the area proposed to replace Pippi Point as an off-leash dog area made it completely unsuitable.
Davistown dog owners have also expressed concerns over flooding issues at the relocation site.
A second petition, opposing the suggestion to move Terrigal Haven Dog Park to a suburban space in Duffys Rd that has no parking and is in a well-known flood plain attracted 447 signatures.
A third petition created by Imogen da Silva of Umina objected to timed access to beaches for dogs.
Da Silva also spoke at the December 13 open forum, thanking council for acknowledging that the plan needs further revision and consultation.
“It is a minority who do not comply and do not pay attention to … signage; imposing a new plan will only further restrict those who do the right thing by their dogs and by the law,” she said.
She said a final decision should be postponed until the region once again had elected councillors.
She said more pressing issues which should be considered included provision of more dispensers for dog waste bags.
There should also be consequences for dog owners who don’t secure their properties so dogs can’t escape and who walk their dogs on shared footpaths and streets unleashed.
She said only 15 beaches on the Coast have off leash areas for dogs, with plenty of no dog areas.
In all, Council received 3,200 community submissions on the draft policy.
Administrator Rik Hart said detailed analysis of the feedback is still being undertaken by Council to ensure recommendations put forward in any revised plan reflects the values of the community.
“A detailed consultation report, which includes Council’s response to specific concerns from the recent community consultation will be provided with the revised draft plan,” he said.
“Council will also consider what targeted stakeholder engagement will be required with our community as we progress this work.
“There are no changes to the management of Council’s open spaces while an updated position is under development.”
To view the draft Dogs in Open Spaces Action Plan engagement summary, visit: yourvoiceourcoast.com/dogs.
Terry Collins