The Eurobodalla Council next year will be seeking community input on rules and regulations about where dogs can be walked and whether they need to be on a lead or not.
The council’s Companion Animal Management Plan 2015-2019 details on and off leash, timeshare and prohibited arrangements across the Eurobodalla and aims to balance the needs of pet owners, the community and the environment.
The council agreed earlier this year to bring forward its review of the Companion Animal Management Plan to commence late in 2017.
This will allow the community to have a broader discussion in 2018 about animal management and dog exercise areas across the whole of the Eurobodalla, ensuring safety, consistency and the balancing of community needs.
There are changes afoot at Long Beach at Batemans Bay where a trial is being proposed that would see the beach area to the west of the toilet block be an off leash area for the purpose of exercising dogs, except over December and January when dogs must be on a leash between 9am and 5pm.
The area to the east of the toilet block will be prohibited to dogs.
The changes are proposed on a trial basis while the council’s full review of the Companion Animal Management Plan is underway, due for completion in 2018.
Residents have until the December 29 to let the council know their views on the proposed Longbeach trial.
Submissions from residents about the Long Beach trial will assist in the review.
More information about the proposed trial at Long Beach is on the council’s website www.esc.nsw.gov.au under ‘Public Exhibition’.
Hard copies are also available at Eurobodalla’s three libraries and at the Customer Service Centre in Moruya.
Submissions close on December 29 and can be made by emailing council@esc.nsw.gov.au, using the feedback form on the council’s website and by writing to Eurobodalla Shire Council, PO Box 99, Moruya NSW 2537.
It is important that dog owners have their pets under their care and control at all times for both the safety of their pets and the general public.
The council’s website has maps and information about where pet owners can take their dogs on the shire’s beaches – search dogs on beaches or go to http://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/living-in/about/for-pet-owners/dogs-on-beaches
Stan Gorton
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
Walkley-nominated journalist based at The Islander on Kangaroo Island with an interest in the local community and the environment.
