McIlwaine Park upgrade: $6m Canada Bay Council redevelopment to see additional dog ban zone

A Sydney council will ban dogs from entering two redeveloped areas at a local park, as part of a $6 million foreshore and beach upgrade. See what it means for our four-legged friends.

A Sydney council has cleared the way for a dog ban on a newly completed foreshore and beach redevelopment in the city’s inner west.

A multimillion-dollar project, which has seen foreshore upgrades and new river access at Mcilwaine Park, has Canada Bay Council calling for an extra zone to be off limits for dogs.

According to Canada Bay Council planners, two newly redeveloped areas of the park – which are considered “sensitive ecological areas” are located near dog off leash areas (DOLA).

Council representatives argued dogs “posed a risk” to the areas, resulting in calls for a ban.

Currently, there is already a banned zone, with dogs prohibited ten metres from the park’s playground. If councillors pass the new motion, it would see a second off-limits zone from October, when the project is finished.

The remainder of the park remains available to dogs on leash.

Mcilwaine park development layout

Mcilwaine Park will seek to prohibit dogs from a second section which is highlighted in red.

“Foreshore upgrade works includes the establishment of two sensitive ecological areas accessible through a man-made beach and it is appropriate that these areas are protected by prohibiting dog access,” council planners said.

“These areas are located close to the DOLA so to ensure they are protected; it is proposed to make them prohibited to dogs.”

“There are also significant maintenance implications in allowing dogs on the manmade beach area.”

Upgrades to the park include new accessible pathway along the foreshore, Installation of pedestrian lighting, the planting of 22 new trees and host of other developments.

Artist impression of Mcilwaine park

Mcilwaine park foreshore beach upgrade

A Canada Bay Council spokesman said that a ban on dogs was needed to ensure sensitive ecological upgrades were protected.

“The project celebrates our local biodiversity and seeks to further educate residents about the importance of the health of the river,” he said.

“Due to the delicate local ecosystems it is important that dogs are not able to access certain small areas within the new foreshore upgrade, including the biodiversity rockpools and the beach area.”