THE City of Busselton is considering a proposal which could allow residents to exercise their dogs off a leash in nearly all of the parks and reserves managed by the city.
This excludes popular sections of the foreshore and town centre areas where dogs will still be allowed but only on a leash.
Busselton and Dunsborough residents complained earlier this year about the lack of beaches to enjoy with their dogs and lack of signage for these beaches.
The proposed changes have been under review since a community consultation in 2012.
Feedback from the review was collected regarding sections of the city’s beach becoming dog exercise areas and sections becoming restricted during the summer months.
At last week’s meeting council was presented with a revised proposal on the dog management policy.
If council approves the proposal it would permit an increase in the number and length of prohibited areas on the city’s beaches, and a decrease in the number and length of both exercise and seasonal areas.
Seasonal means dogs are permitted off the leash except during the time period of 9am to 5pm from December 1 to April 30.
Exercise means dogs are permitted including off-leash at all times except when approved organised events are taking place, wherein dogs are prohibited.
Prohibited means dogs are not allowed at all times in those areas.
If council was to support the revised proposal, during the daytime in summer dogs would be prohibited from 15.75 kilometres of the 23.6 kilometres of coast adjoining the main urban areas.
Council will vote on the recommendation at tonight’s meeting.
