Newcastle City Council released its Dogs in Open Spaces strategy for a 90-day exhibition, with a major focus in off-leash areas in the city. 

The strategy sets out a one dog off-leash area per 20,000 people as a benchmark, and proposes sporting fields remain on-leash areas. 

It proposes developing better hubs for pets and their owners in suburbs lacking open spaces where there is “a gap in provision” including a  Lambton, New Lambton, Adamstown, Mayfield and Warabrook. 

“There are no fenced dog parks in Newcastle and the community has highlighted a strong demand for some facilities,” the report states. 

Suggested sites include adding fences to existing off-leash areas including Carrington foreshore, Maryland Drive Reserve and Acacia Avenue Reserve. 

New fenced dog parks are suggested at Lambton Park (0.6 hectares) and Adamstown’s O’Connell Reserve (0.5 hectares) 

"Dog owners want suitable spaces to exercise their dogs safely, including both on and off leash activity areas,” lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes said. 

“At the same time, other members of the community must be able to use open space and recreation areas without fear of uncontrolled dogs," said the Lord Mayor.

“This strategy was developed to help us determine the best way to meet the needs of everyone in the community and responsible dog ownership is certainly part of Council's expectations.”

A survey used in the plan’s formation found 84 per cent of respondents wanted fenced off-leash areas in the city, with the major concerns about dog droppings and a lack of control over the pets.  

“The top three suggested locations for a potential fenced dog park by suburb were Lambton (16 per cent), Islington (7 per cent) and New Lambton (6 per cent),” the survey report states. 

“Lambton Park was the most mentioned specific site for a potential fenced dog park.”

The strategy also advocates an inform and educate approach to enforcement of off-leash rule breaches.