LAKE Macquarie would have at least one fenced dog exercise area in each of its catchments, under a new plan for how to cater for the city’s growing pooch population.
The council has put on public exhibition to September 24 its draft Dogs in Open Space Procedure, which proposes dedicated off-leash areas in Belmont, Charlestown, Glendale, Morisset, Toronto, Northlakes/Cameron Park and North Cooranbong.
Council acting manager community planning Andrew Bryant said the city had 30 dog exercise areas, but the draft document suggests these should be moved away from sportsgrounds used regularly for training or competition to avoid conflicts of use.
“Wherever possible, council would relocate these within one kilometre of each existing space.”
“Some might be smaller but, on the upside, they may be leash-free at all times, as opposed to the restricted times enforced at most off-leash sportsgrounds.
“If there is no suitable alternative location, the existing dog exercise area will remain until a feasible alternative becomes available.”
Helen Gregory
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
Helen Gregory joined the Newcastle Herald in 2010. She is the masthead’s education reporter and has written for the H2 and Weekender sections, as well as across a range of issues. Helen is a Walkley Award winning journalist and was also part of the Newcastle Herald team that won the United Nations World Environment Day Media Award for Environmental Reporting.
