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11. Action Plan
Actions
Actions have been identified under each of the overarching Dogs in Open Space Strategy objectives. These are the key actions that will guide further work to be undertaken in implementing the Dogs in Open Space Strategy. The implementation of the strategy will require additional work to address specific issues, including more detailed planning and assessment at the local level to determine the best response to identified issues. In some cases, actions will be dependent on collaboration and partnerships with others. Specific funding has been identified in Council’s Development Catchment Contributions Plans and Voluntary Planning Agreement for the following projects: • Pinny Beach new dog park • North Cooranbong new dog park • Cameron Park new dog park • Toronto catchment conversion of existing off-leash area to a dog park Funding to implement the other components of the strategy will be sought via recurring funding allocations, special project requests and external grant programs. The implementation of this strategy will be considered within the context of Council’s overall priorities during the preparation of the forward works program and annual Operational Plan. Timeframe
Actions have been assigned a priority rating based on: High: Critical to strategy implementation. Should be commenced within the first three years. Medium: Important in responding to a future need. May require prerequisite work to be undertaken. Should be commenced within four to seven years. Low: An identified future need that will improve provision for dogs in open space. Should be commenced in eight to 10 years. Ongoing: Recurring actions that support implementation and continue throughout the life of the strategy.
Responsibility
The strategy provides Lake Macquarie City Council with recommended actions and priorities. While a ‘lead’ within Council is identified in bold, there will often be a number of sections involved in implementation. Some actions require external partnerships with community groups or government agencies.
Monitoring and evaluation
A statement that identifies how the action will be monitored and evaluated as being achieved.
1. Balance the needs of dogs in open space with the needs of the broader community
1.1 Implement the increased dog prohibited area at Redhead Beach to provide more space for beach users that may not want to interact with dogs
1.2 In conjunction with Action 6.6, implement the boundary changes at
Thomas H Halton Park to comply with the requirements of the Companion
Animals Act 1998 to be 10m away from playgrounds and barbecues and to remove bushland High Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
High Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
1.3 Extend beach off-leash area at Hams Beach to the north and remove dunes Medium Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
1.4 Implement boundary adjustments to the following dog off-leash areas to comply with the requirements of the
Companion Animals Act 1998 for dogs to be 10m away from playgrounds and barbecue areas: • Toronto Lions Park • Dobinson Reserve, Blacksmiths • Bahloo Reserve, Windale • Gregory Park, West Wallsend • Bay Road, Bolton Point
1.5 Implement boundary adjustments to
Hampton Street Reserve shared dog off-leash area to allow for identified park, playground and recreation facilities to be developed as part of a future master plan
1.6 Relocate Bernie Goodwin Memorial
Reserve dog off-leash area to Gibson
Oval to comply with the requirements of the Companion Animals Act 1998 to be 10m away from playgrounds and barbecue areas, and reduce the impact of use on the sportsground Medium Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
Medium Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
High Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance On-leash area removed and replaced with dog prohibited. Signage installed to clearly delineate change
Boundary adjustments implemented and new signage installed identifying adjusted off-leash area
Boundary adjustments implemented and new signage installed identifying adjusted off-leash area
Boundary adjustments implemented and new signage installed identifying adjusted off-leash area
Boundary adjustment implemented and new signage installed identifying adjusted off-leash area
Relocation implemented, off-leash signage removed from Bernie Goodwin and new signage identifying boundary of off-leash area installed at Gibson Oval
2.1 Continue to provide a diversity of opportunities for dogs in open space through on-leash and off-leash areas including shared, beach and dog parks
2.2 Provide a dog park in each of the five planning catchments at existing or proposed dog off-leash areas. Consider an additional two dog parks within the
Glendale and Charlestown catchments to service high dog populations Ongoing Asset Management
Medium Asset Management Council provides opportunities for shared and beach off-leash areas and dog parks
At least one dog park is provided in each planning catchment
2.3 Trial a segregated dog park that provides separate areas for small/ passive/elderly dogs to large/active dogs. One location from existing or proposed off-leash area to be identified
Subject to the outcomes of the trial an additional site may be considered Medium Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
3. Provide off-leash areas that are fit for purpose
3.1 Establish support infrastructure in existing and new off-leash areas in accordance with the recommended provision standards Medium Ongoing Asset Management City Works
3.2 Ensure off-leash areas are maintained so their use can be maximised Ongoing Asset Management City Works
3.3 Assess the functionality of existing off-leash areas located in proximity to high-traffic roads at the following sites: • Molly O’Connor Park, Redhead • Charlestown Netball Courts • Rathmines Park, Rathmines • Foreshore Park, Buttaba • Bahloo Reserve, Windale • Bay Road, Bolton Point • Dobinson Reserve, Blacksmiths • Goundry Street Oval, Gateshead • Toronto Lions Park Prioritise and implement recommendations that may include vegetation planting and/ or partial fencing.
3.4 Further investigate the interaction of dogs with 4WDs and trail bikes at
Nine Mile Beach, Blacksmiths, and implement any recommendations. Medium Asset Management City Works
Medium Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance Belmont Wetlands State Park Crown Lands Investigation is complete and recommendations have been implemented
4. Plan for off-leash areas for existing and future populations
4.1 Establish new shared off-leash areas to address gaps in supply at: • Myuna Bay Foreshore • Nords Wharf Oval
4.2 Establish new shared off-leash areas to address gaps in supply at Kindyerra
Park, Argenton, including any required barriers to adjacent high-traffic road High Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
Medium Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance Site identified for segregated trial and implemented for 12 months. Review of trial is completed with recommendations for future operation implemented
Requirements for support infrastructure is assessed and prioritised across all off-leash areas and implemented as funding availability permits Off leash areas are included in the city presentation maintenance schedule
Assessments completed and recommendations prioritised and implemented as funding availability permits
New off-leash area is operational and new regulation and boundary signage installed
New off-leash area is operational and new regulation and boundary signage installed
4.3 Establish a new shared off-leash area (time restrictions of sunrise to 10am weekdays and weekends and 4.30pm to sunset excluding public holidays) at Sunshine Park as a 12-month trial.
Implement recommendations from the trial. Medium Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
4.4 Establish a new shared off-leash area at Turnbull Street, Edgeworth, as a 12-month trial. Implement recommendations from the trial. High Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
4.5 Undertake further investigations to determine the feasibility of a new off-leash area at Pasterfield Reserve,
Cameron Park, including facility type.
Implement recommendations from investigation.
4.6 Undertake further investigations to determine the feasibility of a new off leash area at Hillsborough Reserve including facility type. Implement recommendations from investigations.
4.7 Establish the north end of Catherine
Hill Bay Beach as a dog off-leash area in line with the implementation of the
Catherine Hill Bay Precincts Master Plan including road access and parking
4.8 Implement new planned dog parks at
Pinny Beach and North Cooranbong in line with residential development as per approved planning documents
4.9 Align with Council’s Dogs in Public
Open Space Policy that stipulated new off-leash areas are not to be located on sportsgrounds
4.10 Change the current time restrictions for off-leash areas on sportsgrounds to leash-free when not in use for organised sport or training: • Lenaghan Park, Belmont North • Goundry Street Oval, Gateshead • Bahloo Reserve, Windale • Cardiff Park No.3 • Gregory Park, West Wallsend • Taylor Park, Barnsley • Douglas Street, Dora Creek • Gibson Street Oval, Morisset • Wyee Oval Medium Asset Management
Low Asset Management
Medium
Medium Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
Ongoing Asset Management
Medium Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance New off-leash area is operational and new regulation and boundary signage installed that identifies time restrictions. Review of trial is completed with recommendations for future operation implemented.
New off-leash area is operational and new regulation and boundary signage installed. Review of trial is completed with recommendations for future operation implemented
Investigation is complete and recommendations have been implemented
Investigation is complete and recommendations have been implemented
New off-leash area is operational and new regulation and boundary signage installed
New off-leash area is operational and new regulation and boundary signage installed
No new off-leash areas are located on sportsgrounds
Time restriction changes are implemented and new signage installed identifying these
5. Ensure environmental and cultural values of open space are retained
5.1 Manage dogs to protect the natural environment and culturally significant sites through the allocation of reserves as dog prohibited. Sites will be determined through ongoing natural and cultural area management decisions.
5.2 Implement boundary adjustments to the following existing off-leash areas to remove natural areas: • Bahloo Reserve, Windale • Hams Beach • Corner Bay Road and Quigley Street, Bolton Point • Hampton Street Reserve, Carey Bay • Pendlebury Park, Bonnells Bay • Wyee Oval
5.3 Implement the dog prohibition of
Pirrita Island on the basis of its
Aboriginal cultural significance and environmental values including shorebird nesting and roosting site and saltmarsh (refer to Appendix 2)
5.4 Implement the dog prohibition of four
Council-owned biodiversity offset sites located at Valentine, Jewells, Ryhope and Awaba (refer to Appendix 2) Ongoing Environmental Systems Integrated Planning Asset Management
Medium Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
High Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance
Medium Asset Management Asset Management
6. Improve education and regulation for dogs in open space
6.1 Develop and promote a community education and awareness program that provides the community with key messages and information relating to: • owner responsibilities for having dogs in open space • opportunities to exercise dogs in open space • location and boundaries of dog off-leash locations • location and boundaries of dog prohibited areas. Implement the program as new or amended off-leash areas are brought on-line.
High Ongoing Asset Management Communications and Corporate Strategy Environmental Regulation and Compliance
6.2 Design a suite of signage for dogs in open space to better define off-leash, on-leash and dog prohibited areas and regulation where appropriate. High Asset Management Communications and Corporate Strategy City Projects Environmental Regulation and Compliance A suite of signage is designed in accordance with Council’s signage guidelines.
Areas assessed as having environmental cultural values that would be unsuitable for dogs are approved by Council as dog prohibited
Boundary adjustment implemented and new signage installed identifying adjusted off-leash area
New signage installed identifying dog prohibition area
New signage installed at each location identifying dog prohibition area
Community education and awareness program developed and implemented
6.3 Review existing signage for dogs in open space and develop a prioritised program for replacement and/or additional signage where required.
The signage should be appropriately positioned in open space and be simple, easy to read and clearly define boundaries
6.4 Establish partnerships for educating the community on the permissibility of dogs in open space and owners responsibilities with Council-run microchipping days, veterinaries, dog trainers and other relevant interest groups
6.5 For new and amended dog off-leash areas, adopt an initial inform and educate approach to the enforcement of dogs in open space. After a fourweek establishment period, a stronger enforcement approach should be adopted that may include fines.
6.6 In conjunction with Action 1.2, implement signage and other suitable measures to facilitate the safe interaction between dogs and users of the shared pathway at Thomas H
Halton Park shared off-leash area including: • signage and tactile surfacing on the shared pathway cautioning cyclists about dogs off leash • signage cautioning dog owners about the shared pathway and the requirements for dogs to be under effective control • inform and educate dog owners and cyclists of their shared responsibilities as part of the fourweek establishment period. Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing Asset Management City Works Environmental Regulation and Compliance Review complete and new signs approved and progressively implemented as funding availability permits
Asset Management Communications and Corporate Strategy Environmental Regulation and Compliance Partners identified and materials for education distributed
Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance Communications and Corporate Strategy Inform and educate program undertaken for first four weeks of an established new or amended off-leash area, followed by enforcement actions after this period
High Asset Management Environmental Regulation and Compliance Communications and Corporate Strategy Signage and tactile improvements (or alternative) to and along shared pathway are implemented. Inform and educate program undertaken for first four weeks once amended off-leash area is established.
