Point Cartwright dog ban plan slammed over disability access
A Sunshine Coast dog owner living with a disability says a controversial dog ban proposed for a popular beach will take away crucial outdoor access from her. Read the latest.
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A Sunshine Coast dog owner living with a disability says a controversial dog ban proposed for a popular beach will take away crucial outdoor access for her.
Buddina resident Michelle Roberts, a double amputee who is wheelchair bound, has been using the off-leash dog area at Point Cartwright and La Balsa Park, Buddina for almost eight years.
Unlike other off-leash dog areas in the region, the area has a pathway that is close to the beach at the headland.
Sunshine Coast Council will open community consultation on Monday, September 25, for its proposal to remove the 4pm-8am off-leash dog area at Point Cartwright, among other changes to dog access to the area.
The decision was made in the face of public opposition, following several protests and petitions.
Mrs Roberts said it was a unique area, with the footpath giving her close access to the beach.
“The path goes that close to the beach, that when I’m on the path and my sister and her dog are running around, it makes me feel like I’m part of the family and I’m closer to walking with them,” she said.
“It is unfair what the council is trying to do, we can’t access a lot of places now, so why are they going to take this family time off us too because our dogs and support dogs are also our family.”
Under the proposed local law amendments, dogs will be allowed on-leash at Half Moon Bay, open-spaced areas of Point Cartwright Reserve, Buddina Beach and La Balsa Park.
Dogs will be prohibited from the northern beach onto and around the rocky foreshore, the dunes along Buddina Beach and sections of Point Cartwright Reserve.
Mrs Roberts, who is the owner of two assistance dogs, often takes them down to Point Cartwright on walks.
Mrs Roberts said council’s proposal for off-leash dog access on the eastern beach removes access for people with disabilities.
“I can’t access it at all, there’s no availability for me to get down there,” she explained.
Mrs Roberts has been using her wheelchair as a mobile billboard to spread awareness about the issue.
“On the back of my wheelchair I have a Dogs Matter sign and people stop me and ask what is that about and some people with dogs have no idea about what is going on,” she said.
“Some people were up in arms, they thought it was a rumour, they didn’t think it was actually happening.
“The more people know about it, the better.”
The recommendations follow council’s endorsement of the Point Cartwright Reserve and La Balsa Park Master Plan in August.
The proposed changes to dog access will be open for public comment from September 25 to October 30.
A council spokesperson said feedback would be considered before a decision is made.
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