Tooronga Park: Residents fight for off-lead space as Stonnington Council releases development proposal to remove off-lead area

A group of Glen Iris residents are barking mad over a council proposal to remove a popular off-lead dog area caught up in a green space development.

The City of Stonnington Council is proposing removing off-lead areas for dogs at Tooronga Park. Picture: Supplied.

Dog owners have unleashed on an inner-city council as a massive green space development proposal threatens to remove a popular off-leash area.

Resident dog owners in Malvern, Glen Iris and Hawthorn East could be forced to fight over smaller off-lead dog parks and sports ovals if a development proposal under the Gardiners Creek – KooyongKoot master plan is voted through.

Stonnington Council has opened the floodgates for locals to have their voices heard on the 8.7km proposal, spanning from where Gardiners Creek meets the Yarra River in Kooyong, through to Warrigal Rd in Malvern East.

Part of the proposal is to redevelop Tooronga Park into a wetlands, forcing owners to keep their pets on a lead despite it being a popular walking spot for locals.

Stonnington Council has proposed to remove off-lead areas at Tooronga Park (bottom dog) and Sir Zelman Cowen Park (top dog) for dog walkers, leaving Sir Robert Menzies Reserve (middle left dog) as the only immediate off-lead alternative. Picture: Stonnington Council

This will leave residents with two small off-lead areas at Sir Robert Menzies Reserve and the area at Gardiner Park, which doubles as a sporting field.

Despite the potential change, resident and dog owner Liz Grayson said council had not made it clear the off-leash area could be disappearing.

“That information has been hidden in the murk,” she said.

Dogs will be off-lead in the redeveloped Tooronga Park. Picture: Stonnington Council website

Signage at the park includes QR codes which take readers to the council’s consultative site.

But the on-lead / off-lead discussion is only found within the clickable FAQ section.

Council Watch’s Dean Hurlston said “it was clear the council weren’t being transparent”.

“I would insist council officers get down to the park and actually extensively speak with everyone to get their input,” he said.

“They need to inform people of proposals for significant changes like this without delay.”

Mr Hurlston said councils shouldn’t be expecting people to go looking for the information, it should just be readily available.

Tooronga Park could soon be an on-lead only area for dog walkers, leaving off-leash play time a thing of the past. Picture: Supplied.

“It’s not hard, to put up corflute signs around the park with information and a contact number or email address,” he said.

“Part of democracy is that decision makers come to the people, not the other way around.”

Ms Grayson said, particularly for elderly residents, Tooronga Park was more than just a walking spot.

“It’s a place where older people can socialise and get their physical activity in,” she said.

“I don’t begrudge other services, but it’s just a little park that will be inundated. It’s cruel for the elderly who walk their dogs there.

“Not only that, but where are people going to park? There’s not guarantee everybody will be walking or riding their bikes to this new park.”

Signs advertising an in-person consultation appeared in the park the morning after a Herald Sun story. Picture: Supplied.

The proposal is open for public consultation online until August 31.

A Stonnington Council spokesperson said council welcomed community feedback on the proposal.

“Community consultation is an important part of any project and gives local residents the opportunity to provide their feedback,” they said.

“Feedback will help deliver improvements to reinvigorate the area.”

The spokesperson said there are 26 designated off-leash areas in Stonnington.

After the Herald Sun initially reported this story, the council put up signs saying it would be holding an in-person consulation in the park on Saturday.