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.

  • Where does the push come for more restrictions on Bellerive Beach?

    by Christian N, about 3 years ago
    It is disappointing that the Survey is structured to push for more dog restrictions on Bellerive Beach. Why is there no option for greater access to the Beach during the summer months for dogs? Does the council care about residents' opinions or does is just want to push its own agenda of getting rid of dogs from Bellerive Beach? Where does this push come from? Who is driving their agenda? It is certainly not clear from any of the information provided by council. If it is related to wildlife conservation, then this should be stated. It is a curious thing... Continue reading

  • Enforce dog management policy

    by Violet, about 3 years ago

    According to the dog management policy, there are 10,000 registered dogs in Clarence. I would like to see Clarence (and Parks & Wildlife where applicable) fund their dog management programs so they could enforce the policy by hiring on-site staff to levy fines that could be incentive to reduce the number of offences. I am a daily beach-goer and I see enough offences in a three-hour visit to pay a dog officer's salary for a week.

  • Why we enjoy our visits to Clarence

    by Ros M, about 3 years ago

    For thousands of years dogs and humans have bonded very satisfactorily.

    We have had 4 dogs and all were well exercised and socialised – an imperative in today’s world.

    For over 40 years we have enjoyed the freedom for us and our dog in Eastern Shore localities such as Howrah, Lauderdale and Bellerive beaches as well as Natone Hill with our dog off lead. There has never been a problem and all faeces have been binned.

    Consequently we do much of our shopping in the area. If the draconian anti dog councillors have their way we would rarely if ever... Continue reading

  • Another quiet walk on the Tangara Trail

    by HelenT, about 3 years ago

    I took a walk with my dog on the Tangara Trail at Acton Park/Roches Beach this Easter weekend. Lovely day for it - and not a a horse rider or cyclist in sight. I was out for 2 hours and covered about 6km. The weekend before I visited Acton Park and Mortimer Bay areas of the trail, a total of 4 hrs and 15km - and no cyclists or horses. On the few occasions in the past when I have seen cyclists and horses, I take control of my dog until they have passed. There is so much space for... Continue reading

  • Happy walking on Bellerive Beach

    by Kevin Crowe, about 3 years ago
    I have been a Clarence rate payer for 50 years and a dog walker in Clarence for 40 years.


    After April 1 in most years Bellerive beach is largely unused except by dog walkers.

    I have always found them friendly courteous and well in control of their pets.


    Any reduction of access to beaches by dog owners would be a negative step.

  • Anzac Park for the Living

    by stormy, about 3 years ago
    I believe the land on which Anzac Park is formed, was bequeathed to council on the proviso it be enjoyed by the people. Nobody enjoys Anzac Park more than the local dog owners. I walk through the park 250 days a year at least - and very rarely do I not see someone enjoying the space with their pooch.


    How often do I see RSL members and members of the public enjoying the war memorials? Five days a year if I'm being generous.


    Parks are for the living, not the dead.

  • Dogs dont understand restrictions!

    by Margie, about 3 years ago
    I live close to Bellerive Beach and my dog and I enjoy walking on it daily.

    When restrictions were imposed in 2015 and dogs werent allowed on the beach from First Bluff it took my dog months to stop trying to go onto the beach at First Bluff and walk all the way to the Beach St

    If dogs are totally banned from Bellerive Beach - will he understand why he has to get in the car and go to Howrah beach? and worst still will he understand that he has to have a lead on to go into the... Continue reading

  • Not dog management but dog cruelty

    by Marg S, about 3 years ago
    I have been the proud owner of several dogs over the decades, and have enjoyed their company and the company of others. They’ve not always been dogs I have been able to have off lead - one was fearful of people and another blind. However, the ones I have been fortunate enough to allow off lead have had some amazing places to do so. Beaches, parks, trails and bushland have all been places where my dogs have been able to socialise with other dogs, have enriching experiences and behave as a dog should, including, sniffing, running and playing with other... Continue reading

  • Thirty Years of Walking the Dog

    by Sherlock, about 3 years ago


    As a long-time resident and dog-owner in Bellerive I have seen a number of changes to dog management in Clarence. When we were given our first dog we were not even allowed to walk dogs along the foreshore. The reason given when I was spoken to by the dog ranger was that people might walk in dog poo - the concept of doggy waste bags had not even been thought of. At the same time, on more than one occasion I saw people with dogs on leads, walking along the footpath, allow their dog to deposit their poo in our... Continue reading

  • The importance of dog in our community

    by Andrew Dudgeon, about 3 years ago
    Firstly let me declare my bias and interest in this topic. I am a Veterinarian who has worked in the Clarence Municipality for 37 years and I am also a dog owner who currently lives in Bellerive.


    In my time in the Veterinary profession I have observed enormous change in terms dogs' importance to, and where dogs fit within our families .

    They have gone from living outside, often with kennels, runs and chains to being inside as often as they want, commonly sleeping inside and often on our beds.

    The word 'pet' has, in my view, become obsolete. They... Continue reading