Sunshine Coast councillors take off-leash dog area petitions to CEO

Thousands have signed petitions about the timing of a controversial dog exercise management proposal and the changes to Stumers Creek.

Dogs and their owners have enjoyed Stumers Creek for many years. Picture Lachie Millard

Community members have pleaded for a drafted regional plan concerning controversial changes to dog beaches be delayed, with hopes to inform and consult more dog owners within the region.

The Sunshine Coast Council heard of the request in their ordinary meeting on March 27, with councillors Maria Suarez and Terry Landsberg reading out two petitions regarding the off-leash matters.

The proposed Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan would mean a reduction of permitted off leash areas on beaches, sports ground, and parks in favour of 19 new dog parks.

Sunshine Coast beaches would be left with 15km 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.

Ms Suarez mentioned the petition against the amendment to the subordinate local law animal management 2023 and the drafted regional plan.

The petition requesting to halt and extend the timeframe for the amendment, received 2368 signatures.

It detailed a request to pause the community feedback deadline, which has passed, to inform a large sector of the community which seems unaware of the proposed changes and to undertake some independent studies.

Councillor Maria Suarez. Photo: John McCutcheon / Sunshine Coast Daily

It also asked for the release of data supporting the amendment for transparency, Ms Suarez read out.

Ms Suarez said the council team working on the amendment had received thousands of submissions, which would take time to read through.

Council officers have also invited the Save Our Stumers Creek Group to ask their “burning questions” in person, which Ms Suarez also plans to attend, she said.

She also made mention of a petition regarding the Stumers Creek dog exercise area draft plan from the last ordinary meeting, which received 103 written and 3899 online signatures.

All councillors voted unanimously to refer the petitions onto CEO John Baker for consideration.

Mr Landsberg also brought forth a petition opposing the proposed plan, with restrictions at the Moffat Headland rock shelf being a primary concern.

The changes would prevent dogs from being within 100m east of beach access 275 to 276.

The online petition gained 236 signatures and an additional 505 were personally signed.

He noted current restrictions work well and the community had been responsible for their own behaviour in taking out their dogs.

Terry Landsberg

Mr Landsberg suggested to instead improve regulatory services at Moffat Beach.

The petition was unanimously referred to the CEO.

Community members previously expressed their concerns about the proposed changes, particularly regarding Stumers Creek at Coolum Beach which brought about safety concerns for families and owners with mobility issues.

It was also previously suggested by Silke Herwald to adopt a balanced approach, where dogs would be able to run off-leash during certain days of the week or during certain times of the day.

The council’s draft plan outlines its aim to place dog exercise areas in suitable locations for the projected 2046 population of dog owners, while “maintaining safe and accessible open space for all recreation users” and protecting the Sunshine Coast’s “environmental and cultural values”.