WHOOF! WHOOF!

Local Dogs Need Space To Run Too! While there are a variety of off-leash areas throughout the Whitsundays many local dog owners feel that their four-legged friends do not have enough freedom to run down the beach and play in the waves - are our local pets becoming marginalised members of the community?

Dog Owners Ask For More Freedom

Many Whitsunday dog owners are baffled by local laws which restrict the free movement of dogs on beaches when, in many cases, they are the only people using the public areas.

A Cannonvale-based dog-loving group who meet up each afternoon at 4pm at the Bicentennial Park opposite Cannonvale Beach say that this has been an ongoing problem, with unfortunate complaints causing off-leash movements of dogs to become increasingly reduced.

They are now only free to use the parkland and the far eastern end of Cannonvale Beach, away from the playground – an area which is close to the road and often dangerous for dogs.

“We probably get more people reading and doing yoga in the off-lead park area and winging than we do coming down here to the beach,” said Larissa Whincop from the group.

“On this beach there is no-one during the early mornings, there might be another person with a dog, but very rarely have I ever encountered someone swimming or enjoying the beach,” said Amy Close.

The group wish that dog-owners were allowed to use common sense in deciding where and when it is safe for their dogs to be off-leash, with many stating that no-one would let a dangerous dog off the lead.

A Whitsunday Regional Council spokesperson said that they have no plans at this stage to increase the number of off-leash locations as they believe sufficient areas exist to accommodate community needs.  

“The designation of off-leash areas is approved by Councillors in an ordinary Council meeting,” said the spokesperson.

“Taken into consideration is protection of public safety, maintenance, amenity of the area and protection of the environment.”

At the mercy of a $250 fine for allowing their dogs to roam free outside designated hours or restricted zones, local dog owners find themselves nervous in using local beaches or feeling forced to break laws that do not make sense when no-one else is using the site.

“Conway Beach is the best beach ever to run your dogs,” said Ms Close.

“It’s very unlikely there would be a ranger to give you a ticket there but it is still a possibility which makes me feel nervous.”

Current off-leash locations:

• Queens Beach, Bowen

• Doughty Creek Mouth, Bowen

• Kings Beach, Bowen

• Denison Park, Bowen

• Shingley Beach, Airlie Beach (Eastern end only)

• Bicentennial Park, Cannonvale

• Cannonvale Beach (Sanded area; Eastern end; Restricted times - 5am to 8am and 5pm to 8pm)

• Gailbraith Park, Cannonvale

• Whisper Bay Boat Ramp, Cannonvale

• Wildlife Park, Jubilee Pocket - enclosure Keith Jones Estate Park, Proserpine

• Hydeaway Bay

Some of the 15 members of a local dog group: Evelyn Cartlidge, Larissa Whincop, Amy Close, Grant Restieaux, Kate Donohoe and baby Charlie with their friendly pets

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