No changes to beaches recommended in dog policy update

After significant community interest that saw more than 3000 responses, the second draft of Clarence City Council’s Dog Management Policy progressed through council last night.

The draft Dog Management Policy recommended no changes to Roches, Howrah and Bellerive beaches, in line with vast community support for things to stay the same.

Anzac Park was also recommended to stay off-lead, with a reminder that dogs near or on the walking track should be on-lead, as is currently the case.

The draft policy will now go back out for additional community consultation starting 2 June 2021 and running for a period of eight weeks.

Clarence City Council Mayor Alderman Doug Chipman said he felt the report reflected the overall priorities of the community and broad feedback to-date.

“We thank everyone for getting involved and helping to shape this policy,” he said.

“We encourage the community to stay engaged in this process as we move forward to the next stage of consultation.”

Other recommendations include the move to on-lead for council bushland reserves, nature recreation areas, and multiuser pathways.

This brings these reserves and multiuser pathways in line with their respective Reserve Activity Plans and also takes into account safety concerns from increased and varying use of the pathways, particularly since the emergence of COVID.

The second draft of the Dog Management Policy will be available for comment at www.yoursay.ccc.tas.gov.au on Wednesday 2 June 2021.