Clarence dog walkers bite back amid off-leash area consultation

A proposal to ban dogs from a local beach has angered many owners of the region’s 10,000 dogs, but the council says it is just “responding to community concerns”.

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CANINE lovers who often flock to a popular beach to let their pooches frolic in the sand and surf have plenty to say about their council’s proposed Dog Management Policy changes.

Hobart Dog Walking Association president Tanzi Lewis has been commuting to the Eastern Shore with her dog for years to enjoy the sights and scenes at Bellerive Beach and Howrah Beach.

But the Clarence City Council’s Dog Management Policy draft review 2021-28, now open for submissions under its community consultation, has proposed a string of changes, including banning dogs from Bellerive Beach and making Howrah Beach off-lead.

“Bellerive people need Bellerive Beach to walk their dogs because some are elderly, some are time poor, they just don’t have the time or ability to be walking the extra distance to go over Second Bluff to Howrah,” Ms Lewis said.

“If you look at the suburb of Bellerive, the beach is the only dog exercise area that’s off-lead apart from South Street’s training park, and that’s too small to squeeze all the neighbourhood’s dogs into.”

Hobart Dog Walking Association president Tanzi Lewis with Abbey the dog and Pat Rogers, of Howrah, with Gina the dog. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

There are about 10,000 registered dogs in Clarence and Ms Lewis has urged owners to have their say about potential limits to local areas, including Lauderdale, Cambridge, Lindisfarne’s Anzac Park and her favourite two beaches.

“Once this dog policy is declared it becomes the law in Clarence for the next five years,” she said.

A Clarence City Council proposal would ban dogs from all parts of Bellerive Beach. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Ms Lewis said the Council tried to ban dogs from Bellerive Beach in 2007 and instead made one section on-lead only, while in 2015 another section became dog-free between First Bluff and the Beach Street access.

“We pay dog registration fees to the Council, we don’t expect much in return other than places to exercise our dogs,” she said.

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

Dog owners at Bellerive Beach are unhappy about a move to reduce off-leash areas in Clarence. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

“Council is also committing to providing more dog exercise areas across the city, including for pet greyhounds,” he said.

“Council sincerely looks forward to receiving all responses from the community during this initial consultation period.”

To make a submission as part of the consultation, go to yoursay.ccc.tas.gov.au before April 12.