Drop by for chat about dogs on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June

Dog on beach

How can we best manage dogs in public spaces in the Byron Shire including our beaches, parks and bushlands?

How can Council provide suitable public spaces for pets while ensuring our native wildlife and beautiful natural environment is protected?

Council is seeking further feedback on these important topics and is taking it to the streets on Saturday 25thand Sunday 26thJune, as well as a number of the Shire’s dog beaches, parks, and shopping centres.

“Last year we invited people to have their say online and as a result of that excellent feedback we now have more targeted questions about responsible dog ownership and would really value a face-to-face chat with people to capture their opinions,” Council’s Manager Public & Environmental Services, Sarah Nagel said.

“We’re taking our questions out to the community over the weekend of 25thand 26thJune and we will be talking about the aims of this project which is about how to manage dogs responsibly within this Shire while ensuring that all public spaces are available for all users.

“We invite everyone to drop by at one of our sessions and provide their experiences and point of view,” she said. Times and places are listed below or go to Council’s website for details.

The Drop-in sessions will focus on gathering feedback about:

  • The suitability of current designated off-lead areas.
  • Other places where owners take their dogs to exercise on-lead or off-lead.
  • How well people understand the current rules about dogs in public spaces and what can be done to improve this understanding.
  • Current and proposed new mapping for the places dogs can and can’t go in the Byron Shire.
  • Potential sites for new enclosed off-lead exercise areas for dogs.

Come along and give Council your feedback in-person any of the following places and times:

Saturday 25 June

7am to 9am – New Brighton Beach, North Head Road (car park) and the Ocean Shores Shopping Centre.

11am to 1pm – Brunswick Heads Main Beach off-lead area near the Surf Club and near the Brunswick Heads Library, in the parklet.

3pm to 5pm – Heritage Park off lead area and the IGA in Mullumbimby.

Sunday 26 June

7am to 9am – Belongil Beach (entrance near volleyball court) and in Railway Park, Byron Bay.

11am to 1pm – Tallow Beach off lead area (first dog beach entrance on Alcorn Street) and SPAR Clifford St, Suffolk Park.

3pm to 5pm – Ashton Street off lead area Bangalow and outside the Bangalow Hotel.

“Our aim is to ensure that the Dogs in Public Spaces Strategy we are drafting properly reflects and addresses the issues being experienced by our community and their pets,” Ms Nagel said.

/Public Release. View in full here.