Dogs on beaches - Review outcome
Published on 18 April 2023
The Borough of Queenscliffe has concluded its ‘dogs on beaches’ laws review, which explored potentially removing restrictions that inhibit dogs on beaches during the summer holiday period. The review gauged community and stakeholder sentiment for any appetite for change.
More than 1,250 respondents from across the Borough and beyond let Council know their thoughts on potential changes to the Borough’s dogs on beaches laws. While there was strong community support to change to dogs on leash year-round on local beaches, there was also a range of opposing views from the community and stakeholders not to change dog restrictions at all.
The review process included unpacking the many survey responses, undertaking productive discussions with key stakeholders, and considering the broader effects of changes to our ‘dogs on beaches’ laws. Concerns involving local law enforcement and compliance, the safety of children and the elderly, and the protection of wildlife were also considered. After a comprehensive analysis, it was determined that an amendment to the dog restriction dates in December is required, as conflicting dog regulations between Council Local Laws and Parks Victoria (the body responsible for the Marine National Park beaches located in Point Lonsdale) are impractical. As such, Council adopted the recommendation at the March Ordinary Meeting of Council that the summer dog restrictions be brought forward from the 15th of December to the 1st of December through until the last day of February in any year.
‘Dogs are not permitted on any beach in the municipal district between the hours of 9 am and 8 pm each day from the period of the first day of December until the last day of February in any year.’
This amendment results in consistent and well-understood dog restrictions that more closely align with Parks Victoria. Queenscliffe Mayor Cr Tolhurst commented “Alignment of dog restrictions across beaches in the Borough shows good collaboration with key agencies and land managers in our region and streamlines set aside times for users’. Mayor Tolhurst went on to say, ‘Key issues surrounding Council’s inquiry on this matter, including environmental protection of our sensitive coastline, community safety and compliance with existing but now more consistent laws remains important work for Council. The lessons learned from this engagement with the community will inform improvements to future consultations.”
Parks Victoria prohibits dogs on beaches from 1 December to the last day of February from 8 am-8 pm, as such Borough of Queenscliffe officers are liaising with Parks Victoria to fully align the dog restrictions hours to 9 am-8 pm in December across both agencies, this will ensure effective and consistent dog management on the beaches of the Borough where agencies share enforcement responsibilities.
Achieving consistency of regulations and information across relevant agencies is a positive outcome of the dog restriction review.