Central Coast Council reveals what dog off-leash areas should stay and go under new plan

Complaints regarding out-of-control dogs could see five off-leash dog areas culled including The Haven along with new rules for popular beaches loved by dog walkers.

Five dog walking off-leash parks, including the popular area at The Haven in Terrigal and Illoura Reserve Davistown, are set to be scrapped by Central Coast Council.

At Tuesday night’s meeting, Administrator Rik Hart voted to put the council’s draft Central Coast Dogs in Open Space Action Plan (DIOSAP) on public exhibition.

The plan recommends decommissioning five off-leash parks and adding an extra 12 off-leash parks across the region. This would take the total number of off-leash areas from 62 to 69.

The most controversial area set to be decommissioned is off-leash area at The Haven in Terrigal.

The report states that The Haven in general was prone to “intense” complaints relating to dogs being off-leash in on-leash areas, dogs not well controlled and dogs off-leash in the carpark.

The dog off leash area at The Haven in Terrigal is set to be decommissioned under the draft plan.

There are safety concerns around The Haven’s off leash area and its proximity to the clifftop.

In relation to the designated off-leash area, there were complaints about dogs not under control near the cliff top.

Off-leash dog access on Central Coast beaches is also being put under the microscope. Popular beaches could become subject to seasonal restrictions, which means dogs would not be allowed on beaches after 9am or before 7pm.

Council is also set to enforce zero dog access on any beach aside from dog-off leash areas.

The report states that there are around 65,000 dogs in Central Coast households.

“If estimations are applied to future household numbers, dog numbers on the Central Coast could be in excess of 80,000 by 2032,” the report stated.

Popular beaches with off-leash areas could be subject to seasonal regulations.

While the report stated that dog ownership was a “vital component of mental and physical wellbeing”, poor management of dogs in open spaces negatively impacts the community and posed a safety risk to dog owners, non-dog owners and the environment.

“The DIOSAP aims to reduce these impacts risks with appropriate use and definition of off leash, on leash and dog exclusion areas,” the report states.

Council’s administrator Rik Hart said with the coast having the highest dog ownership rate, along with one of the highest number of dog attacks, it was important to get the plan right.

“I am expecting a lot of feedback to this plan,” he said.

“We do need to provide the off-leash facilities and this plan increases the number of available spaces and changing boundaries.

“There are a lot of people that love dogs and a lot that don’t like dogs. We have to balance that out.”

Mr Hart agreed that the off-leash area at The Haven was not appropriate.

“The main message in the plan is that owners need to be responsible and think about the environment,” he said.

OFF-LEASH SITES TO BE DECOMMISSIONED

Illoura Reserve – Davistown

Council states that this site has environmental significance as a nesting sites for the Bush Stone Curlew.

The report states that the off-leash area has had a high number of complaints regarding non compliance with leashing regulations, poor control of dogs and dogs accessing private property.

Council has suggested the site be an on-leash area with an off-leash site proposed for Pine Ave Reserve.

Terrigal Haven

This popular off leash area creates “intense complaints” according to the council report relating to dogs being off the leash in on-leash areas, dogs not being appropriately controlled on pathways, dogs off the leash in car parks and associated accidents, and the lack of control of dogs on the cliff top.

The natural amenity of the site has been severely impacted by dog activity because of its gradient,” the report states.

Council is proposing The Haven be an on leash only area with an off-leash area to be created on Duffy’s Rd.

The dog off leash area at The Haven in Terrigal has had “intense” complaints.

Fagan Reserve

Council is suggesting relocation of thew off-leash area to Karrawa Reserve in Point Clare to remove issues with sporting activities and nearby Brisbane Water Dr.

Lees Reserve

Council says the site, which forms part of Ourimbah Creek Corridor, is being regenerated for protection, however also states there is no evidence the site is used for dog walking.

Kariong Recreation Reserve

Council says with a new play space and skatepark facility set to be constructed at the site, there will be no room to retain an off-leash area.

“The state government owner Mount Penang Gardens site is within a 15 minute walk of the current site and offers a 1.4ha fenced off-leash area.”

The off-leash area at Kariong Recreation Reserve is on the chopping list to make way for a skate park.

McEvoy Drainage Easement (Umina Beach)

There have ben conflicts with the shared use of this thoroughfare, according to the council report.

NEW OFF-LEASH AREAS

■ Pine Ave Reserve, Davistown/Saratoga

■ Duffy’s Rd Reserve, Terrigal

■ Adelaide St Reserve, Killarney Vale

■ Robertson Rd Reserve, Killarney Vale

■ Wattle St Reserve, Toukley

■ Tunkuwallin / Kanangra Dr Reserve, Gwandalan

■ Warwick Ave Reserve, Mannering Park

■ Karrawa Reserve, Point Claire

■ Caraval St Reserve, Hamlyn Terrace

■ Watanobbi Knoll, Watanobbi

■ Lara Cl. Reserve, Ourimbah

■ Linga Longa Reserve, Yarramalong

■ Hilltop Park, Woongarrah

Avoca Beach shark tower will become the new boundary for the off leash area. Picture: Peter Clark

BOUNDARY CHANGES
■ North Avoca Beach – extension of the off-leash area to the ‘shark tower’

■ Greenvale Road Reserve, Green Point – increase from 0.14ha to 0.30ha

■ Colongra Bay Reserve, Lake Munmorah – reduce area to exclude dogs from the sports fields

and natural environments along with removal of fencing (roadside excluded)

■ Peppercorn Av. Reserve, Woongarrah – changes to provide 10m buffer around playground and remove north to south pathway

■ Mataram Ridge Park, Woongarrah – relocation the northeast quadrant of the park

■ Craigie Reserve, Kanwal – dogs to be kept on a leash in carpark, toilet and entry roadway pathways

■ Adcock Memorial Park, West Gosford, Thames Dr Reserve, Erina, 9 James Watt Drive, Drainage Easement, Chittaway Bay, 10 Oberton Street Reserve, Kincumber – reinforce rule for dogs to be on leash on footpaths

BEACH CHANGES

The plan proposes changes to beach regulations in line with the Companions Animals Act (CAA) including:

■ dogs be excluded from patrolled beach areas and for 20m either side

■ dogs be excluded from all beaches if not designated off leash areas

■ considering restricting dog access on a seasonal basis to popular beaches that fall within designated dog off leash areas.