Please do not change the off-lead area at ANZAC Park, Lindisfarne.

I am very disappointed and alarmed with regards to the proposed changes to ANZAC Park, Lindisfarne off lead dog exercise area.

For more than 15 years our afternoon trip to ANZAC Park with our pet dogs has been an important part of our daily routine. There is a great sense of community there - amongst both the people and the dogs. It has enabled us to meet and socialise with many of our neighbours, including for my 2 children who have grown from babies to teenagers over this time and still routinely come to the park with us. At the park we have celebrated birthdays (people and dogs!), new arrivals and commiserated the passing of fellow ‘parkies’ over the years. It is a major contributor to my family's sense of connection to the community in which we live. Many of the dog owners visiting the park live alone and the social gatherings there provide them with an important opportunity to meet and talk with other people.

In my experience a wonderful, relaxed and safe environment is created each afternoon at ANZAC Park, attended by responsible dog owners with well socialised dogs. It brings people of all ages together - from newborns to old timers and all in between. I understand that similar gatherings typically occur in the morning as well. The dogs love the opportunity to stretch their legs, have a sniff, play and roll around on the lush grass.

It seems to me the park’s use as an off lead dog area exists harmoniously with ANZAC Day and other remembrance purposes. I also think it is important to remember that the park belongs to the CCC - not the RSL - and exists for the entire community’s use. This sentiment is reflected by the signboard at the entrance to Anzac Park which says “… the five acres which now comprise Anzac Park were set aside as public recreation space by Matthew Wilkes Simmons in 1892 and have remained in community ownership ever since.”

Overall it seems that the CCC’s draft Dog Management Policy 2021 is pushing towards less off-lead dog areas around Clarence. Strangely, this is at odds with many of the important aspects recognised in the Policy, such as:

• Direction Statements:
• The importance of dog companionship is recognised.
• The benefits to the health and welfare of dogs, and benefits to the owner are recognised.
• Pre Purchase Guidelines Some issues that need to be considered before acquiring a dog are: … Location and access to dog exercise areas
• Post Purchase Guidelines. Opportunities for exercise, play and socialisation.
• Priorities for future exercise areas.
• Where possible, council will seek to provide a dog exercise area within reasonable walking distance of the majority of residences in each suburb.
• Areas of urban consolidation and where registration levels are above the average registration level for the population of that suburb
• Areas in which there is a high level of population growth,

The important aspects listed above do not reconcile with what’s being proposed for ANZAC Park and more broadly around Clarence.

For example – we bought our current dog around 5 years ago, at which time there were 3 off-lead areas within walking distance of our home – Natone Hill, ANZAC Park and Simmons Park. Simmons Park has already been changed to on-lead only. So now there are 2. And – if the policy is implemented – there will be 0 (until an inferior area is established adjacent to Natone Street).

Lindisfarne is an area of urban consolidation, with population growing as a result of lots of properties being subdivided. According to the dot points above, we should be prioritised for more dog exercise areas, not less.

It seems everyone agrees that dogs are good for companionship and mental well being. We have an aging population, with more people living alone, more people living in smaller subdivided properties with smaller yards. It seems clear logic that we need more easily accessible, off-lead dog exercise areas, not less.

The CCC’s suggestion to make a new off-lead area at the Natone Street Area of ANZAC Park is significantly inferior to the existing arrangement for a number of reasons. The proposed area is a steep site – not suitable for mobility impaired people. It is in close proximity to the road, is unfenced and currently has a playground that would need to be removed, having a further detrimental impact to the broader community by removing this facility. Importantly as well; would there be continuity of an available off-lead dog exercise area? – i.e. would the new area be ready before the existing is changed? It appears not.

Along with ANZAC Park, one of my other favourite off-lead dog exercise areas that I have had the pleasure of visiting is the Victoria Gardens in Prahran, Melbourne. It is another fine example of a beautifully maintained garden that coexists as a multi-purpose community park, including off lead dog exercise area and RSL memorial for ANZAC Day commemorations. Refer https://www.stonnington.vic.gov.au/Community/Parks-and-sporting-facilities/Victoria-Gardens

We should continue at ANZAC Park in this way.

In summary I think the old saying ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’ should apply. ANZAC Park as it is works well and its usage as an off-lead area dog is an important community function. The proposed change will have a significant detrimental impact on many in the community – dogs and people alike.