2015-04-28 Planning and Organisation Committee Agenda

PLANNING & ORGANISATION COMMITTEE MEETING AGENDA                                   28 APRIL 2015


North Sunshine Beach
The proposed subordinate local law changed the current dog off leash area at North
Sunshine Beach to a dog on leash area. 29 submissions received were in favour of this
aspect of the proposed subordinate law whilst 584 submissions and a petition with 1,559
signatures were received against the changes proposed.

The change was proposed in response to dog behavioural issues in this area. Whilst making
the area an on leash area could potentially reduce these issues occurring in the future, the
response from the community has been overwhelmingly in support of keeping the area as a
dog off leash area.

In light of the responses received, it is recommended that the proposed subordinate law be
amended to include the area of North Sunshine Beach as a dog off leash area. This would
result in the current off leash area staying the same.

In order to reduce the risk of behavioural issues with dogs off leash in the area, Council will
improve signage at North Sunshine beach to clearly define the dog off leash area, increase
patrols by officers to take action against dog owners not complying with the local laws, and
investigate the option of introducing an Honorary Ranger Program whereby volunteer
community members assist Council to educate dog owners using the area about the rules
and requirements of the dog off leash area in a consultative and non-confrontational manner.

Peregian Beach
Under the current local law the dog on leash area is between access 59 (Grebe Street) in
the north and access 67 (Pitta Street) in the south. The proposed subordinate local law
reduced the dog on leash area to commence at access 60 (Piper Street) as opposed to
access 59.

The majority of the 30 submissions received regarding this area were against the proposal to
reduce the dog on leash area. It is noted that a number of dog owners utilise the current dog
on leash area, particularly between access 59 and 60 to gain access to Peregian Shops.
Only 2 submissions received supported the proposal to shorten the dog on leash area.

Having considered the submissions, it is recommended that the proposed subordinate law
be amended to retain the current status quo, which provides a dog on leash beach area
running south from access 59 (Grebe Street) to access 67 (Pitta Street).

Currently, the Bathing Reserve at Peregian Beach runs from beach access 47 in the north to
beach access 60 in the south. Accordingly, there is a portion of the dog on leash area that is
between access 59 and 60, which is within the bathing reserve. Given the fact that dogs are
prohibited within a bathing reserve and to remove any inconsistences with the amended
proposed Subordinate Local Law No 2 Animal Management 2015, it is recommended that
Council authorise the CEO to liaise with the State Government to reduce the bathing reserve
known as “L.G. 43 Peregian Beach Bathing Reserve” to be bounded by a point adjacent to
beach access 59 as opposed to the current boundary being beach access 60.

The Disaster Management and Public Order Manager, has consulted with representatives
from the Peregian Beach Surf Club, who have confirmed that amending the bathing reserve
would not impact on surf patrol operations as currently the club does not utilise the area
between access 59 and access 60 as a flagged swimming area.




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