The Break O’Day Council is seeking feedback from the community over proposed changes to its Dog Management Policy.
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The council aims to balance the reasonable expectations of dog owners and the community in the dog policy by allowing dogs and their owners to continue to have the freedom to enjoy what the region has to offer.
It also aims to ensure that public health and safety are protected, community amenities such as parks, gardens, and beaches are maintained, and that wildlife is unharmed harmed.
The Break O’Day region is a habitat for many native species, including shorebirds. Disturbances and harm from dogs, alongside other factors, have lead to a shorebird decline.
The draft of the policy follows suggestions from the community that were made on the council’s existing Dog Management Policy, and was made taking into account discussions with the Parks and Wildlife Service, Birdlife Tasmania, and other stakeholders.
Break O’Day mayor Mick Tucker said that the council aimed to strike a balance with its proposed new Dog Management Policy.
“To get the balance right we want people to appreciate the give-and-take required and need to hear what they support as well as what they don’t like,” Councillor Tucker said.
Key changes to the existing policy include adding off-lead dog access on beaches at Seymour, Scamander, Ansons Bay, Grants Lagoon, and Binalong Bay alongside existing dog beaches.
Another new addition would be a dog training area at Pyengana Recreation reserve, where dog training events and organised activities can take place.
The revised policy would see dogs being prohibited at all times at the St Helens Recreation Ground, sports grounds and golf courses, and at St Helens Wharf, unless otherwise permitted by the Break O’Day Council.
The draft of the revised Dog Management Policy can be viewed online, alongsidse the current policy and maps of dog zones at www.bodc.tas.gov.au/development/animals/dog-management-policy.
The council can also be emailed at admin@bodc.tas.gov.au, called on 6376 7900, or visited at St Helens.
Submissions are due by 5pm on January 26.