Dogs banned from ovals, sporting fields at Blue Lakes Sports Park in Mount Gambier under likely changes

Dogs are set to be banned from some sporting fields and ovals in a major regional SA town after the frustrated owners got sick of the mess left by pet owners.

Dogs would be banned from popular Mount Gambier ovals and sporting fields under likely changes by the local council.

Some locations across the city will become dog-prohibited areas, particularly all sporting fields and ovals at Blue Lakes Sports Park, after issues with owners failing to pick up dog faeces, strategic projects manager Tegan McPherson said.

Mount Gambier Council is reviewing its management plan for dogs and cats, which is must do every five years.

“Due to ongoing issues with people failing to pick up after their pets, the leaseholders of the land have asked the council to prohibit dogs from the area,” Ms McPherson said.

While dogs will now be prohibited from the fields and ovals of the sports park, there are still many places within the Mount where dogs can be exercised off and on-leash.

In accordance with the drafted plan, dogs will be permitted to be off-leash in Corriedale Park, Hastings Cunningham Reserve (and enclosed dog park), Northumberland Reserve, Frew Park and Don McDonnell Reserve.

The Council is close to finalising their new legislation for the Dog and Cat Management Act. IMAGE: City of Mount Gambier Council

Meanwhile, the popular locations of Botanic Park, Cave Gardens / Thugi, Engelbrecht Cave, Lady Nelson, Marist Park, Olympic Park, Rail Lands Walking Track and Valley Lake / Ketla Malpi Crater area will all remain or be instated as on-leash areas.

Other problems with dogs and cats that bug Mount Gambier locals identified during consultation include “cat management, dog faeces management, dogs being off leash when they shouldn’t be and dog behaviour towards other dogs,” general manager of corporate and regulatory services Jane Fetherstonhaugh said.

The Council is close to finalising their new legislation for the Dog and Cat Management Act. IMAGE: City of Mount Gambier Council

Other hot issues the council is aiming to address include the maintenance of the existing dog park and requirement for additional fenced off-leash areas.

These issues have been a hot topic among locals on social media, with many people sharing negative experiences at the dog park due to anti-social and untrained dogs.

Ms Fetherstonhaugh said in November these issues were addressed in the plan and the community had the opportunity to provide further feedback before the plan was finalised and presented to the Dog and Cat Management Board for approval.

At this month’s council meeting, it was heard the draft plan had been provided to the board for initial review and other than a couple of minor edits, the feedback was positive.

Ms McPherson said with this positive feedback from the board, the council “is confident it won’t be too long before the Act is implemented”.

Originally published as Dogs banned from ovals, sporting fields at Blue Lakes Sports Park in Mount Gambier under likely changes