Busselton reverse dog beach decision
Busselton City Council has backflipped on their decision to send a proposal out for community consultation that would have reduced the number of beaches where residents can take their dogs.
Councillors held a special briefing session on Wednesday where they informally indicated they would revisit their resolution made last month, after a protest group on Facebook attracted more than 1200 members.
The resolution split the City’s beaches into 28 sections of prohibited, seasonal and exercise areas for dogs, with dogs prohibited at seasonal beaches from December 1 to April 30.
Mayor Ian Stubbs said it needed to be noted the October decision was not final and the new controls would not have been implemented for this summer.
He said the council was aware of considerable community concern.
“We are listening, we are taking note of feedback and we are certainly prepared to revisit our earlier decision if a more workable and broadly acceptable solution presents,” Cr Stubbs said.
“There does need to be a balanced approach to this issue, and I think the community is indicating we didn’t get that balance right with the proposals we adopted for consultation in October.”
A late item will be presented at next Wednesday’s council meeting and the council will have an opportunity to modify the proposal.
It is expected the council will make a decision that allows dogs to be taken onto more beach areas for longer time periods than the previous proposal.
The City said in a media release consultation was not expected to be held until February 2015, when the community would be fully informed of the proposal and have an opportunity to have their say.
Over the coming summer, dogs are permitted on most beach areas, except the area near the Busselton Jetty and in national parks.
The City said it was important people realised that even when their dog is off the leash it needs to be under effective control and they need to always clean up after their dog.
They said dog owners always need to be responsible and considerate.
