Ipswich City Council offers temporary solution to deathly Camira dog park

REVEALED: An Ipswich dog park which has been the subject of much controversy following a spate of attacks and fatalities will be modified in a bid to protect its four-legged visitors.

More than a year after Ipswich residents first called on the council to improve conditions at their local dog park — the request sparked by a spate of dog attacks and fatalities — a temporary divider separating big and small breeds will be erected.

A petition with 168 signatures was presented to Ipswich City Council in December last year, requesting a number of changes be made to the leash-free dog area in the recreation park at 70-98 Moss Rd, Camira.

Community members asked that the council consider installing additional seating, shelters, and shade trees and expanding the park to support the separation of small and large dogs.

“The petition states there have been multiple incidences between dogs occurring at the existing (dog park), with an unfortunate incident resulting in the death of a small dog,” a council report read.

“The petition also includes a sketch for a suggested layout and embellishments for the expansion of the (dog park).”

The dog park at Camira Recreation Reserve. Picture: Facebook / Stuart Rae (left) and Grant Teeboon (right)

Council officers noted the chief petitioner Kathleen Wildenburg previously raised the matter with them in August last year.

In a report tabled at a council meeting on September 15, officers stated they did not recommend the dog park be separated into two areas — one for larger dogs and one for smaller dogs — as doing so would “severely” impact the functionality of the facility.

“Adjacent to the existing (dog park) are six netball courts,” the report read.

“The proposal by the chief petitioner is to expand the existing (dog park) to the south over the existing netball courts to create a small dog facility. The proposal also suggests planting new trees for shade and provision of additional seating and shelters.”

The existing Camira dog park will temporarily be divided to separate the small and large dogs.

According to the report, accommodating “suitably sized” small and large dog parks would require partial demolition of the existing netball courts — which officers did not recommend.

They wrote it was “paramount” all six netball courts remain untouched so they can continue to serve as an alternate facility for formal sports to Springfield Central Sports Complex.

Councillor Nicole Jonic proposed to have a temporary divider installed at the dog park to protect smaller breeds. Picture: Cordell Richardson

In the September 15 meeting of council, Councillor Nicole Jonic proposed the dog park be “temporarily altered” to separate the small dogs from the big dogs, for their safety.

“There has been fatalities at this park, small dog fatalities, and there's been a number of attacks,” she said.

“It is a well-used local park ... it’s a very social park, for that, so there’s regular meetups. And I want it to continue to be activated, but I want to maintain the safety of the small animals while we do go out and engage with the community.”

The councillors agreed to temporarily alter the dog park by splitting it in two while officers undertake further planning and “seek the sentiment” of the community with regard to sport and recreation needs.

Officers noted in their report that the newly created sections within the dog park do not align with the “recommended desired” areas of 500m2 and 2000m2 for small and large dogs respectively.