Dog walkers hit back over Nudgee dog laws
Residents have fired up for and against a controversial decision to stop off-leash dogs at key Brisbane foreshore area.
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Hundreds of pet owners have rallied against a decision to stop off-leash dog walking at pooch paradise Nudgee Beach — causing others to lash back on the issue.
A decision was made by Brisbane City Council in November last year to only allow dogs walked on leads on the foreshore area.
The call — made to protect shorebirds — followed a 12-month trial of dogs off-leash at three foreshore locations including Nudgee Beach, Sandgate and Manly.
While Sandgate and Manly will remain dog off-leash areas, Nudgee returned to an on-leash area meaning dog walkers could face a $266 fine if their animal does not remain on a lead.
Nearly 400 signatures have been collected for a petition for the foreshore to be reverted back to an off-leash area.
The petition, by Northgate resident Clare Murray, has gained 389 signatures so far, from local residents as well as those as far away as Rochedale South, Woodridge, Eight Mile Plains and Coorparoo.
“Hundreds of dog owners both local and from all over Brisbane frequent the beach front for their dogs’ and their own healthy enjoyment at low tide,” the petition reads.
“There are a large number of Brisbane dog owners who were unaware of the ‘trial’ nature of the off-leash dog area at Nudgee Beach and are now extremely upset by the change to an on-leash dog area as of 30th Nov 2020.
“Your petitioners therefore request Nudgee Beach should remain as an off-leash area where dogs can run, play and swim freely.
“It is a beautiful, social, healthy community sharing environment.
“We fully understand that the northern end remains on-leash for the safety of birdlife and fully respect and care for the local environment and residents.”
However other locals have fired back, saying the foreshore was not the place for dogs.
Another petition opposing the call for dogs to be allowed off-leash again has so far gained 47 signatures after Brisbane petitioner Jessica Shipley launched it.
“As you may be aware, the foreshore Nudgee Beach dog off-leash area has now been changed to on-leash,” the petition says.
“This is great news as it helps in conserving the migratory shorebirds habitat.
“Its is not a big deal as there are plenty of other areas close by to have your dog off-leash. “Unfortunately, some entitled people have made it a big deal by starting a petition to make this area off-leash again and already nearly 300 people have signed.
“This would be very destructive for these shorebirds as they need a safe place to feed and rest.
“Human beings already occupy the majority of this planet, you may have seen the destruction we have done to this planet and it cannot take it any longer.
“Please do not let the greed of humanity reverse this huge achievement for the shorebirds and sign this petition.
“The action required is simply to not give in to the ‘Nudgee beach for dogs!’’ petition. “Continue to preserve our Australian species and there habitats. For once, let nature win this fight!”
A Brisbane City Council spokesperson said while it had discontinued the off-leash trial at Nudgee foreshore, it remained committed to providing off-leash areas.
“Council undertook three rounds of consultation to understand the level of support for the foreshore dog off leash area trials and to identify any concerns or issues that may need to be addressed,” they said.
“At the completion of these trials Council considered community feedback along with data collected by the University of Queensland and observations made by Council.
“From the data collected it was evident that due to the popularity of the Nudgee Beach off-leash area, there had been an increase to disturbance of migratory shorebirds in the area directly north of the trial area. The decision to discontinue the off-leash area at this location was based on scientific evidence.
“Council remains committed to providing opportunities for people to exercise their dogs off-leash and, in response to feedback provided during the foreshore off-leash area trials, expanded the current off-leash area adjacent to Tuckeroo Park.”
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