Northern Beaches Council set to examine charging for dog poo bags

A dogfight is set to erupt over a proposal to install automatic vending machines at popular Sydney off-leash dog parks to provide poo collection bags - for a cost to punters. See the plan.

Free dog waste bag dispensers provided by Northern Beaches Council, like this one at North Curl Curl off-leash dog park, could be replaced by vending machines where dog owners would have to pay for poo collection bags. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

A push is on to install automatic vending machines to provide dog poo bags at popular off-leash parks on the northern beaches.

The council will be asked to vote next week on whether it should look into coin or tap-and-go machines at doggie reserves to help pay for the free dropping collection bags it now hands out.

Currently, the council budgets $100,000 a year to have 96 free bag dispensers across its 29 off-leash dog zones to encourage people to pick up their pooches’ poo.

The council is not legally required to provide the bags to the public.

Dog owner, and TV presenter, Rozz Switzer, of Allambie Heights, with her cavoodle, Bullet, at the North Curl Curl off-leash dog park on Tuesday, reckons the council should continue providing free waste bags to ratepayers. Picture: Jim O’Rourke

But a motion has been lodged by independent councillor Vincent De Luca for the council to look into providing the vending machines to help cover its poo bag budget.

Cr De Luca said he was prompted to act after receiving complaints from dog walkers that there were not enough dog defecation bags.

They also called on him to ask the council to provide bags at numerous other sites where they were not currently available.

Vincent De Luca, an independent member of Northern Beaches Council. Picture: Supplied

“While there is an expectation by residents that these bags be provided free of charge, these are expensive and cost council considerable funds to provide and collect,” Cr De Luca said.

“In order to service more dog areas it would be beneficial to seek information as to whether there are any innovation organisations, or people, that are prepared to create paid dispensers for this purpose.

“(It) would significantly defray costs and enable a higher provision of bags at other parks and reserves.”

Cr De Luca was advised by council staff that there were no automatic vending machine products that offer dog waste bags in Australia.

Dog owner Damien Macaulay, of Brookvale, with his son Arch, 13 months, and dog Chief, at the North Curl Curl off-leash dog park on Tuesday. Picture: Jim O’Rourke.

He will ask that the council support his motion to for staff to liaise with universities and research organisations, as well as invite expressions of interest from the public, to work out whether anyone can develop and introduce the vending machines.

Cr De Luca said they could be paid for by government innovation grants.

Dog owner Rozz Switzer, of Allambie Heights, who was at the North Curl Curl off-leash park on Tuesday with her cavoodle, Bullet, said while it was great that more should be done to encourage people to pick up their dog poo, the free bags should be available to ratepayers.

“It’s of part of the lifestyle on the northern beaches,” she said.

Dog owner Rob Mathunni, of Dee Why, with his dog, Mate. Picture; Jim O’Rourke

Rob Mathunni, of Dee Why, with his kelpie cross, Mate, said having to pay for the bags would be an incentive to make sure he brought his own.

“But if I forget my bags, then I guess I’ll have to tap and go.”

Damien Macaulay, of Brookvale, walking with his son Arch, 13 months, and mastiff cross Chief, said having to pay for bags may lead to more people not picking up poo.

“Then this reflects on all dog owners, many who do the right thing.”

For details of dog off-leash areas click here.