Baw Baw Shire Council’s decision to introduce seven permanent dog off-leash areas across the municipality has been welcomed by advocates who hope similar parks will be introduced in Latrobe City.
Baw Baw will work towards turning three of the seven dog off-leash areas into fully-fenced dog parks, one of them in Linear Reserve in Trafalgar, with additional features including dog litter bins and bags, agility equipment and a drinking fountain for dogs.
A designated off-leash area will also be established at Dowton Park in Yarragon, however, will not have all the same facilities as in Trafalgar.
A report concerning fenced off-leash dog parks will go before Latrobe City councillors at the June ordinary council meeting, which Traralgon resident Phillip Chalker hopes will form the next step forward in establishing similar parks in Latrobe City.
It comes after Latrobe City Council received a petition with 2673 signatories supporting the installation of a fenced off-leash space in September, as well as significant feedback on the topic received during council’s Domestic Animal Management Plan.
Latrobe City officers have since established a working party to investigate suitable locations for such a facility and other issues relating to these parks, and compiled a report which will be tabled at the June council meeting.
Mr Chalker, who is legally blind, has been campaigning for fenced off-leash parks to be established in Latrobe City and said it was good that Baw Baw had decided to move ahead with the fenced off-leash spaces.
“People with disabilities who own a dog are scared to walk through parks that are not fenced off if they are near roads,” he said.
“All you need to do is let your dog off the lead and they could be hit by a car.
“If your dog takes off and it is in the boundary you can just stand there … the boundary is important.
“It will be good for the people in Baw Baw to have [the fenced parks].”
Another Latrobe off-leash area advocate Geraldine McClure said such spaces benefit the whole community.
“At a time where isolation, insecurity and mental illness are prevalent, these areas provide a chance to build community and make connections to people – the benefit of which cannot be underestimated,” she said.
“I think it’s great that Baw Baw finally has a fenced off-leash area for dogs, and I look forward to Latrobe City Council following suit.”
Baw Baw Shire mayor Joe Gauci said Baw Baw’s decision to introduce the parks reflected community calls for more off-leash areas around the municipality.
“During the ‘Have Your Say’ community consultation in 2016, we received 124 submissions with a 69 per cent majority in favour of more permanent dog off-leash areas,” he said.
“We want to support dog owners to exercise their pets responsibly whilst protecting the safety and enjoyment of other park users.”
To make a submission and speak at the next Latrobe City Council meeting on the subject of fenced dog off-leash areas, visit latrobe.vic.gov.au/About_Us/Our_Council/Council_Meetings.
