Borough of Queenscliffe extends restrictions banning dogs from beaches during summer

Dog restrictions will be brought forward two weeks at Borough of Queenscliffe beaches under tightened restrictions. VOTE IN OUR POLL.

Queenscliffe council has extended its dogs on beaches laws. Picture: Mark Wilson

Dog restrictions will be brought forward two weeks at Borough of Queenscliffe beaches under tightened restrictions.

The Borough of Queenscliffe revealed changes to its restrictions on Thursday, with dogs now banned from beaches from December 1 to the last day of February between 9am and 8pm.

Previously, dogs were only banned from beaches in the municipality between December 15 to the end of February during the same hours.

Outside of those times, dogs needed to remain on a leash at all times.

There are no changes to local dog beach, Narrows Beach, where there are no restrictions and dogs only need to be responsive to voice commands.

More than 1250 residents responded to the community inquiry between September and December last year.

Some locals supported a change for dogs to remain on a leash at all times, while others did not want the restrictions changed at all.

It was recommended at the council meeting in March this year that the restrictions be bought forward to align with the Parks Victoria laws, which do not allow dogs on any local beaches from December 1 to the last day of February between 8am and 8pm.

Queenscliffe mayor Isabella Tolhurst said the new ban would “streamline” the hours of day dog owners can use the beach as it is now consistent with Parks Victoria’s restrictions.

“Alignment of dog restrictions across beaches in the Borough shows good collaboration with key agencies and land managers in our region and streamlines set aside times for users,” she said.

Dog owners with their furry friends at Narrows Beach, Queenscliff. Picture: Mark Wilson

In December last year, dogs were permanently banned from Ocean Grove main beach by the Geelong council.

The decision came after a two-year trial of dog control orders with the first year including a seasonal ban on the main beach and the second including a blanket ban.

The restrictions were controversial with Geelong Advertiser readers at the time.

Some called the decision “ridiculous” and others blaming irresponsible dog owners for the restriction.

Originally published as Borough of Queenscliffe extends restrictions banning dogs from beaches during summer