FAQs about the trial
What consultation did Council undertake before starting the trial?
Council conducted community consultation about the proposed trial and changes to South Street Reserve from 23 October to 23 November 2023. We received 68 survey responses and four written submissions. Our project team also had many conversations with users of the reserve at two pop-up consultation sessions on-site and other meetings with community members.
You can view a copy of the Consultation Report here.
Why is Council conducting the trial?
When updating its Dog Management Policy in 2019, Council resolved to create an off-lead area for Greyhounds at Goodwins Road in Clarendon Vale. For various reasons, it's not currently feasible to build the Clarendon Vale Park. In the meantime, Council decided to conduct a 12-month trial of an off-lead area at South Street, to provide information and data that will be used to inform future planning and decisions. The new configuration of the park also provided an opportunity to create a vulnerable dog area, which was subsequently also included in the trial.
How can I share my thoughts on the trial?
We want to hear from as many people as possible on how the trial is going! Please let us know you feel it is going whether it's from you personally using the spaces or from walking past and seeing the area in use.
You can provide targeted feedback using our survey or provide a written submission. Information about how to do this is on the left hand side of this page. The survey questions are based on some of the great suggestions we received in our initial consultation about the trial conducted in late 2023.
Can I still take my dog?
The off-lead greyhound and vulnerable dog areas take up only part of the southern fenced area of the reserve.
All other parts of the reserve will continue to be available for off-lead dog exercise at the same times they currently are, meaning the trial will not impact the ability of other people (and their dogs) to use the area. Please note that the entire reserve is booked by the Eastern Shore Dog Club to conduct dog obenience and agility training on Sunday mornings util 1pm. At these times, South Street Reserve is not for use by the public.
What is happening with the Cambridge dog park?
This proposed change is unrelated to the proposed Cambridge dog park and the designs for that are still in progress and there is still a strong commitment to progress this. There will be more news coming soon.
Can I exercise my greyhound off-lead somewhere else?
Greyhounds can only be exercised off-leash in areas that have been specifically declared by councils. Council has declared an area at 17 Goodwins Road, Clarendon Vale as an off-lead greyhound area, however this area is not currently fenced and may not be suitable for off-lead exercise by greyhounds. Greyhounds owners are strongly encouraged to use the designated area at South Street reserve, and not use the Goodwins Road area.
More FAQs about adopted greyhounds can be found here:
Why can't greyhounds be off leash?
Take Our Lead: Why greyhounds need to stay on a lead in public (grv.org.au)