Keast Park, Seaford chosen as Frankston’s first off leash beach after Olivers Hill option dumped
The rejection of a controversial new rule for felines wasn’t the only surprise in store for Frankston pet owners.
South East
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A controversial 24 hour cat curfew has been rejected by Frankston Council amid fears the new law was cruel.
The council on Monday night voted 5 to 4 against a proposal to extend an existing overnight lockdown for felines.
Cr Suzette Taylor said while she wasn’t a “cat person” she had owned a cat called Felix who loved to sit outside in the sun.
She said taking away that freedom was “plainly cruel” and she could not support it.
Cr Liam Hughes said cat owners were “getting a bad rap” and the new rule would impinge on feline rights.
However, Cr Sue Baker supported the plan to keep cats at home.
She argued it was necessary to protect wildlife and the proposal had public support as identified by “a great piece of community consultation” carried out over two years.
The cat curfew was one of three major changes proposed as part of Frankston’s Domestic Animal Management Plan.
The plan included introducing the municipality’s first year round, off leash dog beach and allowing canines to return to city streets after a 25 year ban.
Despite overwhelming support for allowing dogs to run free at Olivers Hill beach the council chose Keast Park in Seaford.
Councillors said the stretch of sand between Olivers Hill boat ramp and Emergency Marker FCC159 (Nepean Highway and Grand View Grove intersection) was too popular, particularly with families, for unleashed dogs.
Councillors also unanimously supported the move to overturn a unique law that prohibits dogs in about a dozen streets in the seaside town’s retail and business precinct.
They decided that dogs should be allowed back into the area bounded by Davey Street, Kananook Creek and Fletcher Road.
CAT CURFEW LOOMING FOR FRANKSTON
Cats would be under house arrest across Frankston while their canine counterparts are given their own beach and an invite to return to city streets.
Frankston Council is scheduled to vote on its controversial Domestic Animal Management Plan on Monday night.
A council report has recommended introducing a curfew that requires cats to be confined to their owner’s property at all times.
It followed a May 2021 survey which revealed 73 per cent of respondents wanted a cat curfew.
If approved by councillors a 12 month moratorium would apply for those caught in breach of the curfew.
The report, which was based on 1800 responses to four community consultations over two years, also recommended allowing dogs back into Frankston’s CBD after a lengthy ban.
Finally, the council also proposed dogs be allowed to roam leash free along part of Frankston foreshore, year round.
The dog beach would stretch from Emergency Marker FCC159 (Nepean Highway and Grand View Grove intersection) and the Oliver’s Hill Boat Ramp.
The location was based on 4114 responses to a public vote on the best place for Frankston’s first dog beach.
Locals were given five options to chose from including Keast Park, Seaford, Armstrongs Road, Seaford, Seaford Beach. Gould Street Beach near Wells St. and part of the Olivers Hill to Frankston Pier area.
About 48 per cent of respondents voted for Olivers Hill as their top choice
A council report listed pros and cons for each option.
The Olivers Hill area was considered a good choice because it was close to Frankston’s main activity centre, had ample parking, was of “little environmental significance” and offered “natural cleansing” through tides.
Downsides included being close to food outlets and people eating on the beach, was popular with families and could encourage illegal parking in area reserved for boat trailers.
If all proposals are adopted the council would spend $134,000 employing two extra full time officers with a dedicated vehicle to clean the Frankston Municipal Activities Centre and boardwalk.
A further $30,000 would be spent upgrading and replacing existing signs and installing more dog waste bins.
It would cost the council $148,000 year to continue the extra cleaning service.