Nicole Freeman’s mission to save Stumers Creek dog beach

A Sunshine Coast woman says the puppy her husband gave her when she was diagnosed with cancer saved her life when she woke from an emergency surgery to discover he had died of a heart attack.

Nicole Freeman shares story of red cattle dog Whitnail to save Stumers Creek off leash dog beach from Sunshine Coast Council. Picture: Facebook/Nicole Freeman.

A Sunshine Coast woman says the puppy her husband gave her when she was diagnosed with cancer saved her life when she woke from an emergency surgery to discover he had died of a heart attack.

Now the local council wants to close their favourite dog beach.

Nicole Freeman was tragically diagnosed with thyroid cancer eight years ago.

To help her navigate such a difficult time her beloved husband gifted her a puppy, Whitnail, a beautiful red cattle dog who brought light to some of the couple’s darkest days.

The beach at Stumers Creek, looking back towards the Coolum Beach township.

Mrs Freeman took to social media to share her heartfelt story amid Sunshine Coast dog owners’ fury over council plans to shut down off-leash areas, including Stumers Creek just north of Coolum.

The beach strip, which is well away from the flagged patrol area is a haven for dog lovers who enjoy meeting and walking their dogs.

But after council plans were revealed, more than 2500 people have signing a petition opposing the changes.

The council’s draft dog exercise area regional plan would be in effect for the next 20 years and proposes 19 new dog parks to counter reduced beach access across 47 existing sites.

Council has been accused of failing to properly advertise the changes or consult with residents, prompting the mayor Rosanna Natoli and the council’s $550,000 a year CEO John Baker to meet with them last weekend.

Cr Natoli and Mr Baker both stressed the changes were only proposed and that the council was listening to all sides of the argument.

But some residents were left unconvinced and were reported to be in tears over the potential loss of their morning and afternoon routines.

The council has already faced the wrath of Pt Cartwright locals after it brought in heavy restrictions, citing the need to protect shorebirds.

A similar argument is being used for the popular North Shore dog beach near Mudjimba.

Aerial view of Stumers Creek at Coolum Beach on the Sunshine Coast in the late afternoon. Picture: Brendan Radke

Under the changes, Sunshine Coast beaches would be left with 15 kilometres of off-leash area, down from 17km, and 18km instead of 21km of on leash zones.

Total beach area where dogs are prohibited would increase from 8km to 13km.

A total dog ban would be placed on Point Cartwright and Goat Island, while parts of Alexandra Corner, Ballinger Beach, Caloundra Headland, Currimundi Beach, Happy Valley, Moffat Headland, Point Arkwright and Point Perry would also see permanent bans.

Stumers Creek off-leash beach at Coolum, Mrs Freeman and Whitnail’s favourite beach, also be impacted.

Stumers Creek at Coolum Beach. Aerial imagery by Nearmap.

“I know this won’t mean anything to council, but I just wanted to share a bit of anecdotal data of how important Stumers is to me and Whitnail,” Mrs Freeman said.

“We had her for two months before my surgery and we adored her.

“On the night I came home from my surgery, I woke up to find that my husband had died suddenly of a heart attack and I couldn’t resuscitate him.

“I honestly wanted to die … but Whitnail wouldn’t let me.”

Nicole Freeman with red cattle dog Whitnail as a puppy. Picture: Facebook/Nicole Freeman.

The grieving, depressed, and gravely unwell woman found solace in her daily walks at Stumers.

“I isolated myself for some time but I started walking Stumers really early in the morning, because I didn’t want Whitnail to suffer because I was deeply depressed,” Mrs Freeman said.

“When I saw how happy she was, gambling about, making new friends and chasing the foam from the surf, I realised that for the first time in ages, I was not only smiling, but I was actually a little bit happy.

Whitnail enjoying Stumers Creek. Picture: Facebook/Nicole Freeman.

“I kept walking her every morning and I met some beautiful people who are now very dear friends.

“Similarly, last year, when a student of mine died in front of me in a very similar manner to my husband, and I consequently developed PTSD, the only place I could go to for the first few months and feel safe was at Stumers with Whitnail and her buddies.

“I know this wouldn’t move council an inch but I think I can honestly say that without watching my wonderful, mischievous, rhinoceros dog playing at Stumers beach, I wouldn’t have been able to begin to go out again.

“I’m sure there are other people with similar stories.”

Nicole Freeman’s beloved dog Whitnail. Picture: Facebook/Nicole Freeman.

Sunshine Coast Council Division 9 Councillor Maria Suarez said “council has been moved by the heartfelt stories and thoughtful feedback we have received regarding the Dog Exercise Area Plan”.

“Particularly in relation to Stumers Creek,” she said.

“We value and welcome all of these views, many based on personal experiences.

“That’s why it’s important our community shares their feedback via our Have your Say platform.”

A statement released by a Sunshine Coast Council spokeswoman said “the Dog Exercise Area Plan and Network Blueprint is currently a draft plan open for community consultation and feedback”.

“The opportunity for community feedback on the draft plan has been extended by one week to March 7, after increased community interest,” she said.

Mrs Freeman has been contacted for further comment.