Councillor Natoli calls for coast beach dog ban to protect wildlife

A plan to protect endangered shorebirds has divided the Sunshine Coast community, with one councillor calling for a complete dog ban on beaches.

Councillor Joe Natoli says if he had it his way, ‘I would ban all dogs from beaches’ in an effort to protect wildlife.

A Sunshine Coast councillor would “ban all dogs from beaches” to protect shorebirds while another has compared them to the long-extinct dodo, before a plan was endorsed at a meeting last week.

Councillors were discussing The Shorebird Conservation Plan 2025-30, which proposes new ways to protect migratory and resident shorebird populations, at the Sunshine Coast Council meeting on October 16.

The motion to adopt the plan was carried with all councillors except Terry Landsberg endorsing it.

During the meeting, Councillor Joe Natoli said he would “ban all dogs from beaches” to protect shorebirds.

Division 4 Councillor Joe Natoli at Mooloolaba. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

“The beaches and the tidal zones are the natural environment for shorebirds,” Mr Natoli said.

“It’s not the natural environment for dogs and the two just don’t mix.

“I know many would disagree, but we know we can’t protect the shorebirds if we continue to allow dogs on our beaches when the migratory shorebirds are here.”

Mr Natoli said dogs lead to shorebirds expending their energy, decreasing their chances of survival.

“Dogs in particular can have a devastating impact on shorebirds,” Mr Natoli said.

“When dogs chase or approach shorebirds, they trigger a flight response, forcing the birds to expend valuable energy reserves.”

The issue became a hot topic during the last council election, with Mr Natoli facing community backlash in his own division.

The changes have also been closely watched by dog lovers who use Stumers Creek at Coolum Beach.

Past protests have highlighted safety concerns, plus the health and wellbeing of dog owners and their pets as reasons for the dog beaches to remain without change.

The shorebird population is declining. Picture: Paul Taylor

Councillor David Law compared the shorebird species to the dodo.

“We all know the expression as dead as a dodo,” Mr Law said.

“That was that bird in the 1700s that no longer exists except in those very strange comments as dead as a dodo.

“It is incumbent on us to ensure that we see the migratory shorebirds who come and spend their holidays here are given greater care and respect than all the human visitors who come all over the world in very comfortable circumstances.”

Sunshine Coast Council coastal co-ordinator Brad Wilson said that migratory shorebirds relied on the Sunshine Coast’s coastline for rest after an 11,000km journey.

“Flying from the Arctic tundra through Asia to the Sunshine Coast, when they arrive they’re not just visiting; they’re exhausted athletes in desperate need of rest and recovery,” Mr Wilson said.

“Each time they’re disturbed they burn critical energy needed for survival, and this is the reality for many birds and many don’t make it.”

Mr Wilson said the population decline of shorebirds “are real and urgent”.

“Nearly half of Australia’s shorebird species are now listed as threatened with extinction under federal legislation,” Mr Wilson said.

Mr Natoli said shorebirds were an “integral part” of our ecosystem.

“They play a crucial role in maintaining the health of our coastlines,” Mr Natoli said.

“They help control insect population, contribute to seed dispersal, and serve as indicators of environmental health.”

Cr Joe Natoli said dogs should not be allowed on beaches while migratory shorebirds are present. Picture: Glenn Campbell.

Councillor Maria Suarez also agreed dogs were one of the factors endangering the shorebird population.

“Having a seasonal closure at North Shore or closing other areas, that is not going to affect the mortality of a human who can’t walk there for a period of time,” Ms Suarez said.

“It is not going to affect the mortality of a dog who gets to run on a different area of beach instead of that area of beach.

“It will affect the mortality of shorebirds if we all that to continue to happen.”

Cr David Law compared the shorebird species to the dodo. Picture: Mary-Ann Van Trigt

Councillor Taylor Bunnag said “you’ll struggle to find someone more pro-dog than me”.

“I know that the vast majority of our dog owners actually highly value beach recreation spaces,” Mr Bunnag said.

“The challenge that we have at places like North Shore is to try and balance both sets of values in our community in a responsible, pragmatic and most importantly evidence-based way.”

However, he supports the plan after observing the data.

“When I consider the data, the threats, the diminishing areas of suitable habitat, and the extra dog off-leash area proposed north of the existing offering that will increase the amount of overall dog exercise area at Northshore outside an environment sensitive area, I’ll support this motion and this plan today,” Mr Bunnag said.

When discussing the plan with Sunshine Coast community members, it was revealed to be divisive.

“Forty-four per cent of respondents agreed or strongly agreed that the draft shorebird conservation plan will support the recovery of shorebird populations,” according to a council document.

“Thirty-four per cent of respondents disagreed or strongly disagreed, 17 per cent were neutral and five per cent did not know.”

The document also revealed the plan had “no intention to rope off areas of beach to achieve this outcome”.

Councillor Terry Landsberg who holds a “strong position around the public use and access” of rocky shores and beaches motioned against the plan.

“I understand obviously [shorebirds] are a threatened species, but for me there’s got to be a balance between our communities in terms of accessing areas, public recreation opportunities, and protecting our environment,” Mr Landsberg said.

“For a division that is going to be hugely impacted by supporting this document today, I can’t.”