Clarence Council’s draft dog management policy cops a wave of criticism

Residents are up in arms over a contentious suite of changes to a council’s dog policy, including one that would ban owners from exercising their pooches off lead in some of their favourite spots. HAVE YOUR SAY >>

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TWO Clarence aldermen have declared they will reject a contentious suite of changes to the council’s dog policy, including one that would ban owners from exercising their pooches off lead in some of their most favourite locations.

Clarence City Council’s draft Dog Management Policy — currently out for public consultation — has prompted a wave of criticism from dog owners due to the restrictions it would impose.

Among actions considered under the draft policy is a complete ban of dogs for the entirety of Bellerive Beach.

The strong response from dog owners has prompted aldermen Wendy Kennedy and Luke Edmunds — who attended public meetings on the issue and met with groups including Dogs Tasmania and the Eastern Shore Dog Club — to vow not to support the changes.

Clarence City Council Aldermen Luke Edmunds and Wendy Kennedy with resident Trudi Counsell (middle). Picture: Alastair Bett

It comes as dog owners prepare to hold two public rallies at Lindisfarne and Bellerive this weekend in protest.

I kind of think it’s trying to reinvent the wheel, and the wheel is pretty good as it is – Bellerive resident Trudi Counsell

Ald Kennedy said she had never received a complaint about the dog policy during her time on council to date.

“Most people are aware that it is essential for the health and wellbeing of dogs and their owners to have a space where the dogs are free to socialise,” she said.

“What we currently have is working — why ever would we change it?”

She said the proposed changes were “causing a lot of unnecessary stress to many”.

Alderman Luke Edmunds and Alderman Wendy Kennedy, right, with local resident Trudi Counsell on Bellerive Beach. Picture: Alastair Bett

Ald Kennedy and Ald Edmunds suggested the policy be reviewed in five years.

“The case just isn’t there for these sweeping changes,” Ald Edmunds said.

“Perhaps in five years when the next review is due, the council would have built better infrastructure to justify some changes.”

Clarence Mayor Doug Chipman has said council was “responding to community concerns” and seeking a balance between providing areas where dogs can exercise off lead and where people can “get out and about without feeling threatened by dogs enjoying their freedom unchecked”.

But dog owner, Clarence resident and Dogs Tasmania board member Trudi Counsell said she could not understand many of the changes.

“It’s making knee-jerk reaction changes for not really any good reason,” she said.

“Like not having any off-lead areas on Bellerive Beach … there’s a lot of aged residents around there and that’s their only social engagement.

“I go to the beach three to four times a week, and I don’t see any problem at all.

“We have joggers, people on bikes, parents wheeling prams, people walking their dogs and all of that happens harmoniously on the beach and on the walking tracks.”

Mrs Counsell suggested council were trying to fix a problem that did not exist.

“I kind of think it’s trying to reinvent the wheel, and the wheel is pretty good as it is,” she said.

Ald Chipman said council was looking forward to receiving responses from the community during the consultation period.

Submissions are open until Monday April 12.

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