Request for Off-Leash Dog Beach Victoria Point - Online 520 signatures
Principal Petitioner: Anne Bannister
Closing Date: 4.30pm, 12 November 2024
At 10 signatures, this petition will be considered properly made.
Petition Request:
Request for Council to establish a designated off-leash beach for dogs in Victoria Point. Every coastal city provides an off leash beach for dogs to swim and run freely. This would also have a positive impact on the wellbeing of countless owners and their dogs.
Petition Response:
Thank you for your petition requesting the establishment of a designated off-leash beach for dogs in Victoria Point. The petition was tabled by Councillor Hewlett at the General Meeting held on 20 November 2024. The matter was defined as operational in nature and referred to officers to consider and respond.
Council appreciates your interest in the establishment of a designated off-leash beach for dogs in Victoria Point. However, after thorough investigation and consideration of the petition request, Council does not support the request for the following reasons and considerations.
Council understands the importance of Dog Off-Leash Area’s (DOLA) for fostering a sense of community and providing dogs with the freedom to exercise, socialise, and explore in a safe and controlled environment.
Across Redlands Coast, there are currently 32 designated DOLA’s providing a range of sizes, formats, and location types. Beach/foreshore access is available to five DOLA’s to varying extents – two on the mainland and three on the islands. These locations are:
- G J Walter Park, Cleveland
- Raby Bay Foreshore Park, Cleveland
- Coochiemudlo Foreshore – West, Coochiemudlo Island (seasonal)
- Lions Boulevard Park, Russell Island (seasonal)
- Home Beach, North Stradbroke Island
Considerations in relation to your petition for a beach DOLA in Victoria Point are detailed below:
- When compared to other neighbouring Local Government Areas, Redlands Coast has been found to have a high provision of DOLA’s, based on population.
- Comparatively Brisbane City Council has three (3) water accessible DOLA’s – Kedron Brook (Nudgee), Manly Foreshore and Sandgate Foreshore.
- Mangrove fringed coastlines across the city provide abundant natural character and environmental values, including critical shore, wader birds and intertidal habitats, limiting the number of accessible beach and foreshore areas.
- When selecting a new foreshore location, it's essential to consider alignment with Council's Strategic Planning and Policies. Additionally, the proximity to neighbouring residences and properties, as well as existing site constraints like access, topography, and vegetation, must be taken into account.
Cost to create and maintain DOLA’s, including the need to provide additional infrastructure to support amenity such as taps, seating, shelters, bins, etc.
The development of a new 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.
Due to the current high level of DOLA’s in Redland City, investigations for new DOLA locations would only be considered where there is an increase of population such as part of new developments. The provision for a foreshore DOLA is currently being assessed as part of the Shoreline Development to help service the southern side of the City, however a location, activity and timing is subject to development applications and approvals.
Additionally, residents and visitors can enjoy beaches and foreshore areas with their dogs permitted on-leash, unless otherwise signed, whilst maintaining the responsibilities required to dog owners.
For more information regarding location of DOLAs, seasonal/shared hours and places prohibited to dogs can be found on the Redland City Council website.
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.
Council understands this may not be the outcome you were hoping for, however this is Council’s considered position following a thorough investigation of the matter. We have now concluded our review and consider the matter closed.