Should dogs be allowed in Gold Coast shark nets? Debate rages over issue
A beef has started over shark nets on the Gold Coast, with dog owners wanting council to build a swimming enclosure for their pets. VOTE IN OUR POLL
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GOLD Coast dog owners want council to build a swimming enclosure for their pets to protect them from shark attacks in the Broadwater.
The preferred location for the shark proof facility is the northern end of Paradise Point, opposite the multi-million mansions on Sovereign Islands, renowned for fishing and bull sharks.
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The Bulletin understands 91 residents have signed a petition with more than a third from Paradise Point, where they asked council to build “a modest shark proof swimming area”.
Residents also sought a water drink station and wash down area, and flagged their intention to continue with an online petition.
But the unenthusiastic response by all councillors suggests the idea, particularly when weighing up the costs to ratepayers, fits the category of “barking mad”.
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Area councillor Cameron Caldwell while respectful to petitioners was supported by all councillors apart from Southport’s Brooke Patterson in not backing the dog swim area.
“I note the enthusiasm of the petitioners but I don’t propose that we accept the petition,” Cr Caldwell told colleagues at a full council meeting on Tuesday.
“I think it would be sending officers on a wild-goose chase, on something we have never proposed would be part of our dog off-leash area facilities.
“Whilst I note the enthusiasm for the animals to be protected, it would be unworkable in my view to provide shark nets on the Broadwater to protect dogs that might want to pop in for a little bit of a swim.”
Cr Caldwell said he had introduced an off-leash area for dogs north of the Sovereign Islands bridge which was popular amongst local residents.
“The swim enclosure in the southern park at Paradise Point is a dog free area, to make sure everyone keeps separated and dogs not cause any dramas with the swimmers and vice versa.”
Cr Patterson explained her position was “an ideological thing” where she backed the tabling of petitions so officers could explore ideas put forward by residents.
The city has five swimming enclosures including Jabiru Island, just north west of Paradise Point, which was closed in 2019 due to a shark sighting.
The Bulletin is seeking clarification from council on the regulations about dogs on leashes using the existing enclosures.
Cr Caldwell is to alert petitioners of the decision. The names of residents supporting the bid were not made public.
Dogs have been targeted in shark attacks in Australia and overseas with 364 incidents recorded in the United States across a ten year period.
Only two years ago in Florida, a woman was playing fetch with her two-year-old pooch called Boobie when she was confronted with a pool of blood after a bull shark tore through her pet’s leg.
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