Sunshine Coast Council asked to delay Point Cartwright dog ban

The Sunshine Coast Council is set to vote on a major change to the controversial Point Cartwright dog ban, which could see dog lovers enjoy more time on the beach.

Dogs are set to be banned from accessing the northern beach at Point Cartwright. Picture: Supplied

The Sunshine Coast Council is set to vote on a major change to the controversial Point Cartwright dog ban, which could see dog lovers enjoy more time on the beach.

The council is expected to vote on a proposed extension to the existing timed dog off-leash area at the ordinary meeting set to take place on Thursday.

The proposal comes after the council voted to completely ban dogs at Point Cartwright last December, after months of heated debate and strong local backlash.

Dogs were immediately banned from the beach on weekends before a total ban was to be enforced from July 2025.

Many locals protested the changes, arguing Point Cartwright should continue to be a dog friendly area. Picture: Patrick Woods.

The timed dog off-leash area, currently used to develop the Regional Dog Exercise Area Plan and Network Blueprint, is set to expire on June 30, 2025.

However, a proposal to extend dog access until June 2026 will be put to council later this week.

According to the report to councillors, a delay of 12 months to the total dog ban for the northern beach area will allow for the completion of the blueprint project.

“It is being recommended that the timed dog off leash area at ‘Carties Beach’ be extended for a further 12 months allowing for the Regional Dog Exercise Area Plan and Network Blueprint to be presented to Council,” the report stated.

Point Cartwright is one of the more popular areas on the Sunshine Coast for off-leash dog access. Picture: Supplied

The report stated the delayed ban, if passed on Thursday, would not reflect a changed council stance in regard to the December decision.

“The proposed extension of the temporary timed off-leash area at Pt Cartwright is a procedural change and does not change the substance of the original Council decision.

“At the expiration of the temporary provision, ‘Carties Beach’ will revert to an (domestic) animal prohibited area, at all times, in line with Council’s endorsed position.”

The extension would also allow the council, now led under new mayor Rosanna Natoli, to propose making any changes.

“Extending the temporary provision for a further 12 months allows sufficient time for Council to consider the issue from a broader regional perspective and to propose making any consequent necessary changes to its local laws.”

Ms Natoli previously promised to hold a review into the restrictions.

She has been contacted for comment by this publication following the latest proposal.

Originally published as Sunshine Coast Council asked to delay Point Cartwright dog ban