Boat Harbour dog owners and walkers have banded together to protest against proposed changes put forward in a Port Stephens Council review to the off-lead dog areas around the south headland.
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The council is reviewing all dog off-lead points across Anna Bay, Boat Harbour and Fishermans Bay, having undertaken engagement around its use during November and December 2020.
The proposed Boat Harbour changes include adjusting the designated off lead area to the clear and maintained portion of Iluka Reserve; and to permit dogs on lead only on the remainder of the south headland. Currently, dogs are permitted to roam the headland off the leash.
The council's planning officer Paul Burton said that one of the reasons for the proposed changes was to protect the habitat of vulnerable and threatened species.
"The south headland has many winding trails, rocky escarpments and is home to native coastal vegetation communities. These features make it a popular location for bird watching, whale watching and walking. These characteristics also make this headland less suitable as a dog off-lead area," he said.
"Dog off-lead areas require long sight lines so that owners can maintain visual contact with their dog, open spaces so that dogs and people can maintain separation and easy access to amenities like water and toilets."
Mr Burton said that the council had based its recommendations on a comprehensive analysis including community feedback, input from other government agencies and review of best practice standards adopted by other councils.
Speaking on behalf of dog owners in Boat Harbour and surrounds, Elizabeth Schiemer, a long time resident, said that for as long as she can remember Iluka Reserve had been a significant community space, where the people of Boat Harbour had volunteered their time to look after and maintain it.
"The reserve has a long history of community use and the paths, which follow natural water courses, have been made safer for walking dogs by residents and volunteers," Ms Schiemer said.
"Prior to 2000 residents did extensive work to clear the area of bitou and for more than 30 years Port Stephens Council has approved the area for walking dogs off leash. Then a few years ago the members of the community group and Port Stephens Suicide Prevention Network made the paths safer for walkers with dogs, spreading mulch over eroded natural water courses and trip hazards, removing weeds and rubbish.
"The council staff provided much needed help to improve the path to the cairn and they became very popular with off-leash dog owners."
Some of the dog owners upset with the proposal have been walking the headland for 50 years or more claiming there have never been any problems. They say that local dog walkers are "very responsible and clean up after their dogs".
Ms Schiemer said that if the proposal goes ahead dog owners walking a dog on a lead over rough terrain would present a hazard to the elderly and those less able.
"These paths are used by people for stimulating exercise and restorative mindful meditative walks. It concerns me that older people cannot walk their dogs off leads."
She said that the nearest off-leash dog area at Anna Bay was more than 3km away and very difficult for some owners to reach.
"The residents have worked so hard to ensure that the walking paths are safe for health and well-being and our companion dogs are an important part of a healthy lifestyle and need the freedom to exercise off-leash and swim in the nearby rock pools. For many taking away our freedom to walk safely on the only bush track we have is very distressing."
The review includes Birubi Beach, Anna Bay: between May and September permit dogs off lead at all times (no time restrictions); and between October and April permit dogs off lead between 5pm and 9am. Dogs are permitted on lead at all times but not within 100m of the beach patrol area. And Boat Harbour Beach: to allow dogs on lead to walk along the beach to access the headlands between 5pm and 9am with dogs prohibited at all other times.
Mr Burton said that the council would be placing the proposal out to the community for feedback before going to council "to make sure the process is fair and transparent and to help our elected councillors make informed decisions".
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