Dog policy to be reviewed

Gosford Council is to review its dog exercise policy just 12 months after adopting it.

Council adopted the plan at its meeting in July last year, deciding to monitor the policy during the first year.

Under the current policy, there are 12 areas on the Peninsula and in surrounding areas established for dog exercising and training

Five of these areas are on the beach at Patonga, Pearl Beach, Putty Beach and Umina Beach and Ocean Beach.

Sections of these beaches are designated "off-leash'" exercise areas 24 hours a day.

Ettalong Beach is designated an "on-leash" exercise area only.

Other off-leash areas have also been designated along roads and on reserves.

Roads and reserves available for off-leash dog walking around the Peninsula are located at St Huberts Island, Pretty Beach, Ettalong, Umina and Woy Woy.

A statement from Gosford Council last month stated that "the policy has received a generous amount of community feedback over the past 12 months, including over 500 letters and petitions expressing views on the policy".

"Most of the feedback has been in relation to off-leash areas on beaches."

Council received over 500 submissions regarding the draft dog exercise policy when it was considered for adoption last year.

Almost 90 per cent were concerned with the draft policy with regard to dogs exercising on beaches.

A number of these specifically expressed concerns over areas at Putty Beach and Pretty Beach.

Other submissions were also concerned that the draft policy did not provide enough opportunity for dog exercise on beaches, were located in inappropriate areas, and that there were too many designated areas on beaches.

The southern end of Umina Beach was identified in submissions as inappropriate for a 24-hour off leash area as it was used by a large number of families with small children.

Under the Council's adopted policy, the area is included for off-leash dog exercise.

In March this year, volunteers for Clean Up Australia Day collected 10kg of dog droppings in 10 minutes at the same location.

Alison Branley, Press release, June 28 Gosford Council