Pet owners brewing for a dogfight over council’s draft policy

UPDATED: KINGBOROUGH dog walkers will rally today over council regulations considered “un-Australian”.

Kingborough Dog Walking Association president Venie Phillips with her dog Kai on the beach at Kingston. Picture: SAM ROSEWARNE

UPDATED: KINGBOROUGH dog walkers will rally today over council regulations considered “un-Australian”.

Members of the public will gather at the Kingston Dog Beach from 11am to voice their concerns over changes to the Kingborough Council’s dog control policy, and Mayor Steve Wass will be present to answer questions.

The Kingborough Dog Walking Association says the new policy fails to give dogs and their owners a fair go, and the decision to no longer allow dogs at sports grounds, even on-lead, while sport is being played “seems un-Australian”.

The policy would also prevent beach access for dogs in Taroona and Blackmans Bay, and reduce the size of the Apex Park dog exercise area at Taroona.

JUNE 5: PROUD Kingborough dog owners are barking mad over a draft council dog policy they have labelled as draconian.

The policy proposes to ban dogs from most beaches at all times, except the existing off-lead beaches at Kingston Beach and Clarks Beach.

Off-leash dog areas are to be curtailed, with the loss of off-lead walking on the Alum Cliffs Track, and a total ban on any dog access to the popular Tinderbox Hill Track for nine months of the year.

Dogs are to be banned from proximity to shops and within 10m of playgrounds.

It also includes the implementation of off-lead dog exercise areas on sections of Kettering Reserve and Middleton Beach.

Kingborough Dog Walking Association president Venie Phillips said the draft legislation was unreasonable and the draconian measures would set a dangerous precedent.

She said a perfect example was the Apex Park at Taroona — the only dog off-lead area in Taroona — which was to be reduced significantly in size.

“One of the reasons given for the reduction is because there is a children’s playground nearby,” Ms Phillips said.

“But the playground has a secured fence around it.”

Ms Phillips said there were about 6500 dogs registered in Kingborough.

Tasmanian Dog Walking Association president Melissa Fraser said the draft policy treated dog owners as second-class citizens.

“Most dogs and dog owners behave with the upmost responsibility while in public places,” she said.

“We simply urge the council to reconsider, consult broadly and better balance the needs and rights of all.

“Dogs don’t vote but councillors should be aware that their owners most certainly do.’’

Kingborough Mayor Steve Wass.

Kingborough Mayor Steve Wass said the draft policy was not draconian and the council had worked hard to create a dog-friendly community.

“Kingston Beach is probably the most recognised beach in southern Tasmania to walk your dog,” he said.

“This issue does polarise the community.

“One half don’t want to see a dog full stop and the other half think a dog should be able to go wherever the owner goes.”

Franklin State Labor MP David O’Byrne said there was a lot of concern about the draft policy.

“The feedback to me via Facebook and emails is that there is a lot of concern around the draft plan in comparison to other councils,” he said

“The fact the council has put it out for consultation is a good thing and it’s really important that they listen.”

Residents can view the policy and make a submission online. Submissions close on June 25.

A public rally will be held at Kingston Beach on June 10 from 11am to urge the council to reconsider its policy.