New Sunshine Coast Council laws will restrict dog owners from taking their animals to a number of beach locations when they come into effect next year.
Council approved the plan at yesterday’s Ordinary Meeting but has promised to build 22 new off-lease dog parks as compensation over the next 20 years.
Sunshine Coast Council’s Environment and Liveability portfolio holder, Maria Suarez, said Council appreciated community feedback that played a major role in developing the final plan.
”The plan is designed to balance protection of our sensitive coastal environments with maintaining generous access for exercising dogs in outdoor spaces, in a region with 54,000 registered dogs,” Cr Suarez said.
“It will deliver a more harmonious approach to how dog owners and non-dog owners can share our parks, beaches and environment reserves,” she said.
Dogs will be prohibited at Point Perry, Point Arkwright, Point Cartwright, Moffat Headland and Caloundra Headland.
Council said these zones are an important breeding, foraging and nursery ground for marine plants, fish, reptiles, birds and other wildlife and keeping dogs away reduces stress on these fragile habitats and helps protect them.
Councillor Suarez said the plan responded to the region’s growing population and reflected the diverse values of the community.
“There is no doubt we love our pets and outdoor spaces and projections are we will have 80,000 registered dogs by 2046, so planning is very important,’’ Cr Suarez said.
At Stumers Creek at Coolum, community input highlighted the importance of maintaining the site’s character, so only minor changes will occur.
Visitors arriving by car or walking their pets past the car park must keep dogs on-leash until they are at least 10 metres on the beach side of the car park.
Council said the measure improves safety for pedestrians and motorists.
The existing off-leash zone, which extends approximately three kilometres north and south of the creek, will remain unchanged.
At Currimundi Beach, dogs will no longer be permitted to cross the mouth of Currimundi Lake between Beach Access 253 and 254 to improve harmony and safety near the busy carpark, shops, picnic areas and swimming zone.
There is no change to the existing off-leash area north of the lake (beach access 253). South of the lake, the current 1.25 kilometre off-leash area will continue, stretching to just north of Ann Street (approximately 50 metres north of Beach Access 262). A slight adjustment introduces an additional 50 metre buffer adjoining the Dicky Beach Bathing Reserve to protect the patrolled swimming area.
At Maroochy North Shore, a seasonal closure of 500m of beach on the southern spit area will be implemented from October to April, to safeguard threatened migratory shorebird high-value roosting areas and a new off-leash area of 670m will be provided at Mudjimba South to offset the seasonal closure at North Shore.
Meanwhile, dogs will still be allowed on-leash in many environment reserves but are banned in some reserves with very high conservation values to protect our sensitive plants and wildlife from disease and habitat loss.
On sports fields, dogs will need to be kept off active playing surfaces but can still use common areas while on a leash. A permit process will continue for organised dog events.
To see how the plan affects local parks, beaches, and reserves visit Council’s website.
