Bayside Dog Alliance demands favourite foreshore area remain off-leash

HOUNDS may soon no longer get to run free on one of Port Phillip Bay’s most popular beaches, under a council review of off-leash areas. But a powerful dog owners’ lobby group is not taking it lying down.

Dogs may have to be kept on leashes 24/7 at Ricketts Point under a Bayside Council review of the sanctuary.

DOGS may soon no longer get to run free on one of Port Phillip Bay’s most popular and prized beaches, under a council review of off-leash areas. But a powerful dog owners’ lobby group is not taking it lying down.

Thousands of people walk their dogs at Beaumaris’ famous Rickett’s Point Marine Sanctuary — and under Bayside Council’s recently-adopted Biodiversity Action Plan, sanctuary off-leash areas are now being reviewed, and could be scrapped.

VOLUNTEERS COLLECT MORE THAN 2000 BINS OF RUBBISH AT RICKETTS POINT

PLAN FOR OFF-LEASH DOG AREA AT BEACH

According to the council, regulations will be reviewed to protect seabirds, shorebirds and other wildlife from disturbance by dogs.

But the Bayside Dog Alliance, which represents 3000-plus members, is fighting to retain Ricketts Point as an off-leash area.

Dogs can run free at any time during winter in parts of the sanctuary.

Alliance spokeswoman Kate Dempsey said the group was planning to meet the council in the coming weeks.

“(We) support rationalisation of the dog walking zones with the stipulation there should be no change to the existing off-leash areas,” Ms Dempsey said.

“(We) look forward to working closely with the council in its upcoming consultations regarding Ricketts Point and dog walking access,” she said.

Kids and dogs alike can roam free at the sanctuary, and the Bayside Dog Alliance want it to stay that way.

The alliance is riding high after successfully campaigning to retain Sandringham’s George Street Reserve as a dog off-leash area.

Like Ricketts Point, George Street had been in the biodiversity plan firing line until dozens of alliance members and residents spoke out against the recommendation at a recent council meeting.

Several dog-owners slammed the plan at the meeting, labelling it “anti-dog”.

But Bayside Council Mayor Laurence Evans said the plan was designed to protect wildlife and vegetation.

“It is important we protect it through forward planning in our reserves and open spaces,” he said.

There were more than 12,300 dogs registered in Bayside, council data stated.

MORE NEWS

CLUB PLEADS FOR SANDRINGHAM GROUND FIX

ST KILDA SHARKS PLAYER POISED FOR 350TH GAME