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.

  • Bellerive Beach and bushland

    by JW, about 3 years ago
    I would like to see the dog park which is currently used developed into a really attractive drawcard for dogs : adventure playground, obstacle course, water feature allowing water play, and good comfortable facilities for owners. Something dogs can't wait to get to. This way Bellerive Beach, bushland and other vulnerable areas can be made dog free. This will protect children, older people, fauna and flora. Shore birds are particularly hard hit.

  • Bellerive Beach: A great recreational asset for everyone.

    by JHH, about 3 years ago

    The current proposed changes to the Bellerive dog-walking regulations shouldn’t even be on the radar. Why meddle with a perfectly satisfactory system that has created a sustainable balance between the needs of dogs and their owners and those who wish to pursue other beach-related activities?

    We are dog owners who have lived on Bellerive Bluff for over forty years now and have walked the Bluff and beach almost everyday with four generations of dogs over that time. The gradual improvement of the walking tracks, which for the most part used to be dirt tracks forty years ago, around Kangaroo Bay... Continue reading

  • Elderly dog loves Howrah Beach

    by WendyJA, about 3 years ago
    My golden retriever Wally is 12 years old. Being elderly with some arthritis and a weak heart condition, he is only able to walk shorter distances. I take him to Howrah Beach every weekend. The Silwood Ave car park suits us very well as it’s the closest access to the beach so he doesn’t have to walk far before he can begin his favourite pastime of sniffing the interesting smells along the edge of the sand. Wally enjoys his short walks around the footpaths near our home but nothing gives him as much pleasure and enjoyment as beach visits. He... Continue reading

  • Anzac park is wonderful exactly how it is

    by Marina d , about 3 years ago

    taking our dogs to Anzac park to play is one of our favourite pastimes. We have been exercising our dogs off lead there for years and everyone is very respectful of the area. Dogs that exercise off lead become better behaved with better temperament as they need to be off lead to interact properly. This is better for the entire community. Many people, particularly the elderly may not be able to walk their dogs very far but they can throw balls for their dogs and let them play. Dogs that get regular exercise are far less likely to be a... Continue reading

  • Insidious creep taking away dog exercise areas.

    by Tanzi, about 3 years ago

    I am a founding member of the Hobart Dog Walking Association Inc and witnessed the insidious creep and removal of dog walking areas in Clarence.

    Clarence's Dog Management Review of 2007-2008 saw part of Bellerive Beach convert to on-lead only after a huge public protest and over 1,200 submissions. The Council was aiming for a total dog ban.

    In 2014, the line in the sand on Bellerive Beach was moved and dogs were banned from one third of Bellerive Beach, from First Bluff to the Beach Street access. Now the 2021 review provides an option to vote for a dog... Continue reading

  • Don't diminish Anzac Park and off lead areas for dogs in Clarence

    by Alison Park, about 3 years ago

    I have lived in Geilston Bay for 20 years. In that time, I have owned 2 dogs, Byron and Banjo and we walked every day. I have lost both my boys now but still remember all the good times, happy memories and wonderful people and dogs we met whilst walking in Anzac Park. I know that if I need a bit of doggie love, a chat or just a walk in this wonderful park that is available for all to enjoy.

    I have a chronic health condition and many times found that to make the effort to take my dogs... Continue reading

  • More offl-lead not less

    by Tom, about 3 years ago
    I moved to Hobart just over 2 years ago and thought it was fantastic to have a beach on my door step. The first thing I have noticed about Howrah/Bellerive beaches was how well behaved all dogs were. Now that I am a dog owner, I want to live up to that reputation, and train/socialise my dog, so that all may enjoy the beach. While my pup strays at times, I can't train it if I'm not given an opportunity to train in the environment my dog will encounter.


    Reserves between Tranmere and Rokeby should be off-lead, it's a great... Continue reading

  • Disappointing

    by declan.fahey, about 3 years ago

    Whilst I note that Council is yet to make any decisions in relation to the draft Dog Management Policy, I am disappointed by some of the changes that have been proposed.

    Many dog owners within the Clarence and Greater Hobart communities have been eagerly awaiting the release of the draft Policy and the opportunity to provide Council with feedback. Clarence is one of Tasmania’s largest local government areas by population, and Council’s own website states that Clarence is home to more than 10 000 registered dogs. Recently, however, community members may be forgiven for forming the impression that Council is... Continue reading

  • Devastating Proposals

    by HelenT, about 3 years ago

    I moved to Tasmania from the UK early last year and in November, my dog joined me. I have bought a unit on the Mornington/Bellerive border. It has very little outdoor space for my dog but I thought it would be ok as we have Waverley Flora Park a 5 minute walk away - ample opportunity for us to get out for a daily walk where she can run and sniff and be a happy dog. I have sent pictures of her enjoying herself in areas like this and Bellerive Beach back to folks in the UK, where they are... Continue reading

  • A further update to my previous story.

    by James Shugg, about 3 years ago
    I hope it is ok to submit two surveys and two stories. Since I submitted my first survey, Natone Hill was added to the declared on-lead only area in an edit to the published draft policy, so I needed to amend my response. This is not a good idea. Having extensive area to exercise dogs off-lead ensures compliance with on-lead requirements elsewhere, and helps keep dogs tired and quiet the rest of the day. Natone Hill is spacious and away from crowds so there is little chance of disturbing other people. There is very little wildlife up there either, at... Continue reading