Sunshine Coast Council to vote on off-leash area proposal for Point Cartwright

A controversial plan to limit dog off-leash access at Point Cartwright beach will be voted on within days, with the council told the status quo is not an option despite fierce backlash. Have your say. VOTE IN OUR POLL

Long-time Buddina resident Simon Anderson and his dog 'Dutchie' have regularly used the dog off-leash access area at Point Cartwright.

A controversial plan to limit dog off-leash access at Point Cartwright is set to go before Sunshine Coast Council, despite strong public backlash.

The removal of the northern dog off-leash area at Point Cartwright, as part of the broader Point Cartwright Reserve and La Balsa Park Master Plan, is set to go before Sunshine Coast Council at its next Ordinary Meeting on Thursday, August 24.

The Point Cartwright Reserve and La Balsa Park area recently became the subject of a draft master plan unveiled by Council, with some changes to off-leash dog access proposed.

As part of the master plan, Council announced measures to ban off-leash dog access along the northern beach and foreshore at Point Cartwright, citing “non-compliance in dog off-leash and on-leash areas and lack of collection and disposal of dog faeces,” as allegedly leading to the “degradation of flora and fauna habitat.”

It resulted in a proposal for off-leash dog access to be reduced to the eastern-facing beach only, with the current Point Cartwright Reserve area taking in Half Moon Bay, converted to on-leash only.

Since the proposal was unveiled, community members have relayed concerns about a reduction to off-leash dog access for dog owners, as well as people living with a disability, mobility issues or an impairment.

Dog owners and their four-legged friends took to the streets in June over the controversial plan.

A petition was also launched seeking to keep off-leash access at Point Cartwright, attracting over 3900 signatures.

Point Cartwright is one of the more popular areas for dog off-leash access on the Sunshine Coast. Picture: Supplied

Long-time Buddina resident Simon Anderson has regularly taken his dog Dutchie to the off-leash area at La Balsa Park and Point Cartwright.

“I‘ve probably been using it for the last five years or so and it’s been a great spot for my dog and myself to spend time together,” Mr Anderson said.

“It‘s great to have an off leash area for dogs to play together and get some exercise.

“It is one of the few areas where you are still allowed to have your dogs off leash, so I just think it would be a shame to not be able to come down here and do that anymore.”

Mr Anderson is supportive of the movement to ensure the northern area of the reserve, remains an off-leash area.

“It‘s one of the best places on the Sunshine Coast to have your dog off leash,” Mr Anderson added.

Sunshine Coast pet owners gathered at La Balsa Park to protest the off-leash dog access proposed changes.

“It’s good because it has the rockpools and natural formations in the area.”

Acknowledging the significant public reaction, council is considering amendments to proposed dog access in the area.

“The proposed changes to dog off-leash areas have generated strong opposing views from parts of the community,” the report to council reads.

“It is therefore being recommended that Council commence the local law making process to consider proposed amendments to dog access areas in this location.”

While announcing the measure, council reiterated that allowing the current access to remain is unsustainable.

“Retaining the status quo, while highly desirable for some parts of the community, is not sustainable and will lead to ongoing conflict and adverse impact on the site,” the report detailed.

If the motion before Council is endorsed, the changes to off-leash dog access will be subject to a local law amendment process which the community will be able to have a say on later this year.