Whitsunday council votes on new off leash Boathaven Beach for dogs

Whitsunday ‘fur kids’ have a new playground to frolic in with the council voting to let them go off leash at a popular tourist spot.

Norma Strang said going to Boathaven with Bhride, her Golden Retriever, was a 'morning ritual' and she argued nobody would be hurt by the policy. Picture: Contributed

Dog-lovers are gleeful after Whitsunday Regional Council voted to make a part of the popular Boathaven Beach an off leash zone for canines.

Holistic wellness coach Norma Strang goes to the beach with her golden retriever Bhride and said she and her fellow dog enthusiasts would celebrate the win.

“I said to everybody, ‘just visualise us all celebrating at the beach with the doggies running free’,” she said.

Dogs are now able to swim and play at an off leash section of the beach for a three-month trial period.

Norma Strang said going to Boathaven with Bhride, her Golden Retriever, was a 'morning ritual'. Picture: Contributed

Councillor Jan Clifford delivered the motion at the April 26 meeting after hearing pleas from her fellow dog-owners.

“It is a little win but they are the ones that make it worthwhile,” Ms Clifford said.

Councillors voted 5-2 for the motion with Councillor Gary Simpson and Councillor John Collins voting against.

Mr Simpson raised concerns about potential dog attacks.

“It only takes one,” he said.

“There are a lot of issues here.

“Maybe we should look into it a little more.”

Ms Clifford’s motion proposed a six month trial period but this was reduced to three months with a report at the end to determine whether or not to extend the policy.

Ms Clifford, Councillor Clay Bauman, Councillor Mike Brunker, Councillor Michelle Wright amd Mayor Julie Hall voted for the motion.

Speaking after the vote, Ms Clifford said she was “not too concerned” about the possibility of a dog attack.

“Most people with their pooches are pretty bloody good,” she said.

“There’s the odd one here or there.”

The motion restricts off leash activity to the morning, from 5.30am to 8.30am.

The motion also prohibits the dogs from swimming in the stinger net enclosure at the beach.