Opposition to dog exercise changes

Gosford Council has received a petition with 119 signatures from the Central Coast Dog Obedience Training Club Inc opposing the proposed new Dog Exercise Area Policy.

The petitioners rejected the plan to decrease the number of dog exercise areas from 22 to 16.

They wished to keep the current dog exercise area policy, with the inclusion of a number of additional provisions.

The petitioners wanted council to provide clear signs on beaches to indicate designated dog exercise areas, times for use, owners’ responsibility regarding their dogs and fines and penalties.

Other provisions they wanted were clearly marked bins for the disposal of dog waste and plastic bags to pick this waste up with, along with adequate staff to police the current policy.

Council also received further petitions on this issue with 697 signatures.

These petitions came from residents of both Ettalong and Umina Beaches and surrounding areas.

They stated that limiting access for dogs to just four beaches provided an unfair balance to the residents and the beach goers of those areas.

The petitioners further stated that a better solution to the issue would be to keep the current dog exercise area policy and support that policy by erecting proper signs and providing waste bins.

Council agenda, March 27