East Burwood Reserve: Residents fight plan for dog park near homes

A group of East Burwood residents are barking mad about a council plan to build a dog park near their homes, fearing the smell of dog poo will spoil their barbies.

There are plans to build a fenced off dog park in East Burwood Reserve. Picture: Whitehorse Council

Dozens of East Burwood residents are barking mad over a council proposal to build a fenced off-leash dog park near their homes.

Tails are definitely not wagging over the Whitehorse Council plan to remove the southern toddler’s play space and replace it with the doggie area at a cost of $665,000, proposed as part of the council’s draft East Burwood Reserve Masterplan.

No final decision has been made on the draft plan, which is expected to come before councillors at a later date.

A petition signed by 136 people calling for the council to abandon the dog park was presented to the council meeting on Monday night.

“We.... strongly oppose and request the council to abandon the development of a fenced dog park directly behind the residential properties bordering the southern end of the East Burwood Reserve and to retain this open grass area and the southern playground for the benefit of all park users,” the petition said.

Their reasons included:

– The unacceptably proximity to residential properties will cause enormous distress to all those living in the southern end of the reserve.

– Dog waste, both faeces and urine, causes unpleasant odours and attracts flies which will inhibit residents in properties adjoining the proposed dog park from using their backyards and outdoor eating areas.

– Residents with dog allergies and respiratory conditions will be affected by the dog fur and dirt in the air surrounding the dog park.

– The site has historically suffered from poor drainage and is regularly waterlogged.

– Inevitably escaped dogs or dogs entering and exiting the dog park will make it dangerous for residents and the general public to access the park.

– The proposed dog park will bring more traffic and an overflow of parked cars onto Lincoln Street and Newhaven Road.

Speaking at the meeting, resident Timothy said he had undertaken extensive research and believed the proposed dog park would cause more problems than positive outcomes.

He said the area of the reserve where the new park was proposed was cherished by all park users, including regular on-lead dog walkers, for its serenity, natural and beautiful outlook and wildlife.

He said every other space in the precinct was devoted to sporting and organised activity and the area needed to be kept for passive recreation.

Fencing off the last remaining green open space to be used only by dogs and their walkers would mean children, families and the elderly would be excluded from enjoying the beautiful part of the reserve.

Timothy said the dog park was “totally unsuitable” situated within metres of sporting amenities, family and community spaces and residential properties.

He said a dog trainer had told him fenced off dog parks were the equivalent of putting a bunch of “charged up children” into a room with no supervision and hoping for the best.

A father and dog owner also spoke out against the park at the meeting.

He said the demand for open space and playgrounds was much higher than a dog park.

Cr Raylene Carr stressed it was a draft plan that was subject to change and thanked residents for their feedback.

“It’s very important residents have their say,” she said.