Request for a New Dog Off-Leash Area, Russell Island
Principal Petitioner: Rudi Schmidt
Closing Date: 13 August 2024
At 10 signatures, this petition will be considered properly made.
Petition Request:
Request to create an off-leash dog park in the area near the proposed botanical garden and the resilience centre on Russell Island. It should provide a safe and spacious area for large and small dogs to socialise and play together.
Petition Response:
Thank you for your petition requesting Council create a Dog Off-Leash Area (DOLA) at Russell Island’s Sport and Recreation Park, Russell Island. The petition was tabled by Councillor Rendalls at the General Meeting held 21 August 2024 (Council Resolution 2024/155). This matter was defined as operational in nature and referred to officers to consider and respond.
Council has investigated the petition request and advises the creation of a new DOLA on Russell Island is not supported. This decision is based on the following considerations and information.
Council understands the importance of DOLAs for fostering a sense of community and providing dogs with the freedom to exercise, socialise, and explore in a safe and controlled environment.
There are currently 32 designated DOLAs distributed across the Redlands Coast providing a range of sizes, formats, and location types. When compared to other neighbouring Local Government Areas, Redlands City Council has a high provision of DOLAs based on population.
Russell Island provides residents with the availability and use of two DOLAs of varying experiences including a fully fenced DOLA and a beach/foreshore experience. These locations are:
- The Bay Islands Pioneer Children's Memorial Park
- Lion’s Boulevard Park
The development of a new Dog off leash area (DOLA) requires consultation with key stakeholders, community consultation period, public notice for an amendment to Local Law No. 2 (Animal Management) and a successful outcome before any possible designation. Other factors for consideration include:
- Alignment with Council’s Strategic Planning and Policies
- Existing site constraints e.g. access, topography, vegetation
- Proximity to neighbouring residences and properties
- Cost to create and maintain DOLA, including the need to provide additional infrastructure to support amenity such as taps, seating, shelters, bins, etc.
Russell Island Sports and Recreation Park is an important sports park and recreational open space area that serves the Russell Island community in a multitude of ways. The primary purpose of this location is to serve as a dedicated space primarily for sporting activities.
This location caters for wide range of community uses, including sporting activities, disaster training/response, emergency landing site and leased and licensed spaces for various community associations. Introducing a DOLA in this area would conflict with the purpose and function of the park and could potentially disrupt activities and enjoyment of other park users, as well as being detrimental to future infrastructure improvements to support the community.
Council’s 10-year Capital Plan includes measures to improve the amenity of The Bay Islands Pioneer Children's Memorial Park, located 1.3km from the sport and recreation park. The suggested DOLA size and style will be included in the planning and design phase for the project, with any works subject to Council prioritisation and budget approval.
Additionally, residents and visitors can enjoy parks, pathways, beaches, and foreshore areas with dogs permitted on-leash, unless otherwise signed, whilst maintaining the responsibilities required to dog owners.
Given these considerations including the intent and existing use of Russell Island Sport and Recreation Park, Council does not support the establishment of a new fenced DOLA.
Please note this response has been provided to you as the Principal Petitioner. You may choose to notify other persons listed on the petition of the outcome.
We understand this may not be the outcome you were hoping for, however this is Councils considered position following a thorough investigation of the matter. We have now concluded our review and consider the matter closed.
If you wish to pursue the matter further, you can consider lodging an Administrative Action Complaint. Further information on this process can be found on Council’s website. Council is committed to effective complaints management and has established a complaints process in line with the requirements of the Local Government Act 2009.
Thank you for your understanding and interest in Council’s parks and open spaces.