Dog Management Policy draft review

Contributions to this consultation are now closed for evaluation and review.

Second stage of consultation results

The second stage of consultation closed on 28 July 2021. Thank you to everyone who took the time to have their say.

In total we had:
  • 990 digital survey responses via Your Say
  • 2 handwritten survey submissions
  • 41 emails and letters from the public
  • 7 letters from organisations
  • 1 petition
  • 2 in-person meetings
Officers are now compiling all the feedback which will be presented to Aldermen at a workshop on 6 September 2021.


First stage of consultation results

Thank you to everyone who took the time to have their say on the first stage of this record-breaking consultation.

In total we had:

  • 2944 digital survey responses via Your Say
  • 82 digital story submissions via Your Say
  • 24 handwritten survey submissions
  • 52 emails
  • 7 letters from the public
  • 5 letters from organisations
  • 2 petitions

The results from stage one of the consultation are available to download from the document library.

The fee structure was formally adopted at the council meeting on 31 May 2021 and is no longer part of the draft review.



Project Overview

We are undertaking the second stage of community consultation on the draft Dog Management Policy, and are seeking community feedback on the revised draft.

The first stage of consultation was to determine the community's feedback on a variety of proposed changes to inform the draft policy.

This second stage of consultation is the statutory component of the Dog Management Policy review process that puts a specific policy to the community for feedback.

This draft policy has been refined through consideration of the feedback received in the first stage of consultation, along with other considerations including health, safety and environmental factors.

Second round feedback will then be evaluated and a final version of the policy will be produced for formal consideration by council.


Background

The Dog Control Act of 2000 requires councils to develop and implement a policy relating to dog management within their municipal area and this policy must be formally reviewed every 5 years.

There have been two reviews of this policy since that time. These reviews were adopted by council on 25 February 2008 and 16 November 2015 respectively.

This year's draft was created after discussions with Parks and Wildlife, the Environmental Management branch of council, the Tracks and Trails committee and other relevant stakeholders.

Following a workshop with Aldermen in October 2020, an initial four-week period of consultation was conducted.

Running from 15 March until 12 April with a two-week extension of two weeks from 21 April to 4 May, it resulted in 3,216 responses, two petitions to council and other forms of feedback.

The feedback received during the first round of consultation was then presented to another workshop with Alderman, resulting in the revised draft now being considered during this second consultation period.

More information on dog ownership in Clarence and the Dog Management Policy can be accessed at https://www.ccc.tas.gov.au/living/animals/dogs/

UPDATE (16 July 2021):

We have today made the decision to remove question 8 currently being asked in our Your Say survey for the latest round of consultation on the Dog Management Policy.

The question has been mistakenly setup on a false premise that there are current reserve activity plans endorsed by council that recommend dogs be on-lead in the relevant reserve. This is incorrect and as a result we will be removing this question and we won’t rely on feedback collected so far on this question to shape the draft policy.

We apologise for the mistake and look forward to continuing to receive your feedback on this important policy in the remaining two weeks of consultation.

Further information on this decision can be read here.


Have Your Say

Have your say by

  • Completing the survey on the revised draft

This survey will close on Wednesday 28 July 2021.

The results of this consultation will inform the refinement of the draft master plan.


Second stage of consultation results

The second stage of consultation closed on 28 July 2021. Thank you to everyone who took the time to have their say.

In total we had:
  • 990 digital survey responses via Your Say
  • 2 handwritten survey submissions
  • 41 emails and letters from the public
  • 7 letters from organisations
  • 1 petition
  • 2 in-person meetings
Officers are now compiling all the feedback which will be presented to Aldermen at a workshop on 6 September 2021.


First stage of consultation results

Thank you to everyone who took the time to have their say on the first stage of this record-breaking consultation.

In total we had:

  • 2944 digital survey responses via Your Say
  • 82 digital story submissions via Your Say
  • 24 handwritten survey submissions
  • 52 emails
  • 7 letters from the public
  • 5 letters from organisations
  • 2 petitions

The results from stage one of the consultation are available to download from the document library.

The fee structure was formally adopted at the council meeting on 31 May 2021 and is no longer part of the draft review.



Project Overview

We are undertaking the second stage of community consultation on the draft Dog Management Policy, and are seeking community feedback on the revised draft.

The first stage of consultation was to determine the community's feedback on a variety of proposed changes to inform the draft policy.

This second stage of consultation is the statutory component of the Dog Management Policy review process that puts a specific policy to the community for feedback.

This draft policy has been refined through consideration of the feedback received in the first stage of consultation, along with other considerations including health, safety and environmental factors.

Second round feedback will then be evaluated and a final version of the policy will be produced for formal consideration by council.


Background

The Dog Control Act of 2000 requires councils to develop and implement a policy relating to dog management within their municipal area and this policy must be formally reviewed every 5 years.

There have been two reviews of this policy since that time. These reviews were adopted by council on 25 February 2008 and 16 November 2015 respectively.

This year's draft was created after discussions with Parks and Wildlife, the Environmental Management branch of council, the Tracks and Trails committee and other relevant stakeholders.

Following a workshop with Aldermen in October 2020, an initial four-week period of consultation was conducted.

Running from 15 March until 12 April with a two-week extension of two weeks from 21 April to 4 May, it resulted in 3,216 responses, two petitions to council and other forms of feedback.

The feedback received during the first round of consultation was then presented to another workshop with Alderman, resulting in the revised draft now being considered during this second consultation period.

More information on dog ownership in Clarence and the Dog Management Policy can be accessed at https://www.ccc.tas.gov.au/living/animals/dogs/

UPDATE (16 July 2021):

We have today made the decision to remove question 8 currently being asked in our Your Say survey for the latest round of consultation on the Dog Management Policy.

The question has been mistakenly setup on a false premise that there are current reserve activity plans endorsed by council that recommend dogs be on-lead in the relevant reserve. This is incorrect and as a result we will be removing this question and we won’t rely on feedback collected so far on this question to shape the draft policy.

We apologise for the mistake and look forward to continuing to receive your feedback on this important policy in the remaining two weeks of consultation.

Further information on this decision can be read here.


Have Your Say

Have your say by

  • Completing the survey on the revised draft

This survey will close on Wednesday 28 July 2021.

The results of this consultation will inform the refinement of the draft master plan.


Tell us what is important to you about dogs in Clarence

We want to hear from you about what matters to you regarding dogs in Clarence. Do you have a favourite walk you take with your dog? Perhaps you have a boisterous dog that loves the beaches in summer, or maybe you have a shy dog that is looking for a quiet place to walk on the lead? Or perhaps you don't own a dog but have had an encounter with one and have a story to share about how it affected you. By sharing your stories you will not only help council understand what matters to you but also those in the community who may think differently.

Thank you for sharing your story with us.
CLOSED: This discussion has concluded.

  • Dogs Need Some Freedom

    by Olivia, about 3 years ago
    I completely understand that many people, esp very young and elderly ones, might be afraid of being harmed by off lead dogs.

    However ... with the current restrictions on parks and beaches most of every day all year is available for them without off lead dogs!! Plus every path and footpath!

    Surely it is only logical that dogs keep the small amount of time for running free.

  • Anzac Park is for everyone to enjoy.

    by LMA, about 3 years ago

    I heard that the Clarence council and a person in the RSL is in favour of NOT PERMITTING dogs to run free and happy, under supervision of their owners, within Anzac Park, Lindisfarne.

    I feel for the service men and women who served Australia in past wars experiencing long separations from their family and pets. Thousands of these children (and many were just children in their late teens) never returned from war to experience their tears of joy while clutching their pet and being smothered with love and licks. A dog is man’s best friend – and always has been.

    ... Continue reading

  • Why

    by walker 101, about 3 years ago
    Why do we need further restrictions? I would like to see some statistics on non dog walkers using the beaches, and other bushland areas. We have walked on Bellerive and Howrah beaches consistently for the last 25 years. Since the far end of Bellerive(Cricket end) has been a 'no dog zone', I dutifully turn around on the beach at the sign. Rarely is there anyone using that end of the beach, and likewise Little Howrah beach. If there is to be further restriction, where is the evidence that it is necessary? In my experience the majority of dog walkers are... Continue reading

  • Importance of dogs in the life of CCC

    by Madramaith, about 3 years ago
    I visit many different areas in Clarence to walk my dog and meet friends. Several friends are "ageing well" as I hope I am myself. This is in no small way due to my dog. It means I make new friends as I talk to other dog owners all the time. We usually go for lunch/dinner after our walk and so contribute to the local economy at a time when it is really vital to support local small cafes. I've been lucky enough to travel up the East Coast a couple of times this year and have met several Australian... Continue reading

  • FEEDBACK - CLARENCE CITY COUNCIL PROPOSED DOG POLICY 11.4.2021

    by Rona, about 3 years ago

    FEEDBACK - CLARENCE CITY COUNCIL PROPOSED DOG POLICY 11.4.2021

    Rona Hollingsworth (49B Loatta Road, Rose Bay, Tasmania 7015)

    Benefits of dog ownership

    In its new dog exercise area proposal Clarence Council pays lip service to the well-known benefits of dog ownership for the physical and mental health of both dogs and owners. In the case of ANZAC Park this is particularly obvious since the venue has become an important and convivial community meeting place for dogs and their owners/carers. As well as speaking to happy dog owners I’ve chatted to people sitting in the Park who are no longer able... Continue reading

  • Bellerive Beach

    by C & J, about 3 years ago
    Being unable to have children, our dogs are our only family. It gives us great joy to walk them on Bellerive Beach. We enjoy the interactions other dog owners who are generally friendly, like minded people. People with little family need to connect with others for their physical & mental well being. Please don't restrict access any further to Bellerive Beach. There are far more people doing the right thing than the wrong thing on this beautiful beach.

  • South Howrah Beach and dogs

    by Bewkie, about 3 years ago
    I am an older woman with some walking issues. I have been using the beach as an exercise and community contact amenity for 3 years. I have an outing, get some exercise and enjoy the sensory experience of the beach and sea while having some fun with my small support dog. And there is a camaraderie about the whole beach walk thing which leads to chats and laughs. However, I am not sure that if I couldn’t take my dog I would come at all, since she adds to my sense of comfort and security. I generally come later in... Continue reading

  • Caroline1

    by Caroline1, about 3 years ago
    • The reality is that dogs continue to be an important part of our lives and, during the COVID pandemic, dog ownership has increased.
    • Bored dogs become distressed, disruptive and engage in behaviours such as barking.
    • Unfortunately, people seem to have forgotten how to interact with dogs. They will walk up to an unknown dog, stare into their eyes (dogs see this as a threat), grab/pat them without notice (perceived as a threat) and approach/allow children to approach dogs who are tied up (where the dog cannot escape and can feel threatened), all of which are poor human behaviours. I have... Continue reading

  • Very concerning

    by Marnie, about 3 years ago

    I often walk my two small dogs in the Tangara trail and Mortimer Bay areas with my family. We've done this for around 6 years. We do encounter horses and cyclists, but not with increasing frequency. Where are those statistics coming from? I know my dogs and I manage them appropriately whenever we come into contact with another user. It's not uncommon to see someone pop their dog on a leash while in the vicinity of another person or animal, then let them off again once clear. I have never had a bad experience doing this. The whole point of... Continue reading

  • Local residents please give your feedback!

    by James, about 3 years ago

    I live on the Tangara Trail and enjoy the friendly (but infrequent) interactions between cyclist, horse rider, dogs and dog owners. I don't believe the proposed blanket rule changes to 'bushland reserves' and the Tangara Trail are based on any reasonable level of consultation with local residents. I have witnessed many dog owners putting their dogs on lead as necessary to 'maintain effective control'. Why not just put a little more effort in enforcing this rule in problem areas?

    I encourage all to provide feedback so a fair and balanced policy can be developed that is representative of rate payers.