‘S**t beach’: Fake Facebook accounts turn Northern Beaches off-leash dog trial into chaos

A beach trial has torn a coastal Sydney suburb apart, but locals say the chaos isn’t what it seems and something darker is at play.

A string of alleged fake Facebook profiles, claims of duped pages and exaggerated stories of “dog attacks” has fuelled an online war over an off-leash dog trial, but locals argue the chaos on social media doesn’t reflect what’s actually happening on the sand.

A 12-month trial allowing dogs access to a 300 metre stretch of sand at the Southern end of Mona Vale Beach has been approved by the Northern Beaches Council after more than a decade of campaigning by local dog owners.

Mona Vale's off-leash trial is keeping its canine residents happy. Picture: Supplied by Paige Fryer.

Under the trial, which runs until October 13, 2026, dogs would be allowed off their leashes between 5.30am and 10am and 5pm and 9pm during daylight saving time, and then between 6am and 10am and 4pm and 7pm AEST.

Council rangers have conducted three on-site “education sessions” with another two scheduled for later this month.

But the trial has exposed a sharp divide in the community, pitting locals against each other.

A volunteer from Pittwater Unleashed – who are in support of the trial – claimed to news.com.au that a “very vocal” and “very anti-dog” minority had been manufacturing outrage online.

“We’ve seen that there are, for instance, fake Facebook profiles … One of them will post, another one will pick it up, and another will amplify it,” the woman said.

“It creates sound, it creates noise, but it’s not actually reflective of the reality of what’s happening on the beach”.

Locals have become divided over the trial. Picture: Supplied by Pittwater Unleashed.

She said many of the claims, such as dog attacks, ranger referrals and pictures of poo were either fabricated or taken outside of the trial zone and falsely linked to Mona Vale Beach.

The group even had its logo copied and used on fake posts designed to impersonate it.

“They would take our graphics and put it through AI and bastardise our graphics. They would take our posts and cut and paste the words and make their own version of it,” the woman said.

Despite the online noise, Pittwater Unleashed said the trial had been overwhelmingly positive.

“We’re probably up to around 12,000 dog visits and there has been no issues in terms of what’s been left behind. It’s always very pristine, it’s very clean,” the woman said.

The group claimed most interactions on the beach have been peaceful, except for one woman who allegedly purposely strides into the zone to provoke reactions.

“If a dog even dares to sniff her, then she will have a real go at the person and scream and shout at them,” the woman said.

“You know, people say, well now it’s ‘s*** beach’ – but it’s not.

“I just say come along. Come down to the beach. Come and witness it … see the joy of all the dogs.”

But not all locals are in favour of sharing the beach with their four-legged neighbours.

Despite owning a dog themselves, a member of the Pittwater Daily Group who opposed the trial told news.com.au that Mona Vale Beach isn’t suitable for an off-leash area.

They cited safety concerns with children and elderly beachgoers, environmental pressures on sand dunes and wildlife, waste concerns, and congestion in what they described as an “already busy location”.

The member – who wanted to remain anonymous – argued the Council decided to push ahead despite the safety warnings.

Not all locals are in favour of the trial. Picture: Supplied by Pittwater Daily.

“The trial has no clear measurable criteria for success … Council cannot reliably assess whether it’s safe, sustainable or appropriate for long-term adoption,” the resident said.

“Costs have also unnecessarily blown out to around $1.2m, placing an unnecessary burden on ratepayers for a temporary trial with no defined outcomes.”

A Northern Beaches Council spokesperson said during the six weeks, council rangers and parks staff “have regularly patrolled the area and found that overall people and their pets are adhering to the times and area permitted.”

“Any incidents that are reported to council are investigated,” the spokesperson said.

“Council gathers feedback from various sources, including correspondence sent to Council and observations from staff. Information about the trial and how to submit feedback is available on our website.

“This information will be collated and reported back to Council at the end of the trial, which ends 13 October 2026.”

Meanwhile, Woollahra Council have banned dogs from a popular Sydney beach after previously allowing them on leashes.

The controversial move came after the council engaged community feedback on a proposed off-leash zone, where dozens of complaints about uncontrolled dogs and waste resulted in a complete ban.

Local residents have set up an online petition to challenge the decision.