An online petition has garnered more than 1800 signatures from people protesting proposed changes to dog access areas at a much-loved spot – and just in time.
Sunshine Coast Council is calling on the public to provide feedback on the Point Cartwright Reserve and La Balsa Park Draft Master Plan before this Sunday, July 2.
Division 3 councillor Peter Cox said Point Cartwright and La Balsa were among the region’s most loved areas.
He said the area held enormous lifestyle, environmental, recreational and cultural heritage significance.
“With more than 500,000 people expected to call the Sunshine Coast home by 2041, and data shows that up to 4500 people may visit the reserve and park in a single day, a long-term plan is an absolute must, to ensure we can all continue to enjoy this area,” Cr Cox said.
The group of more than 1800 community members is protesting the proposed changes to dog access at Point Cartwright in the draft master plan.
Dog owner and local resident Mark Gilbert is behind the ‘Keep Point Cartwright off leash access for dogs petition’, which he launched on June 19.
“I started the online petition because the master plan and the dog restrictions on it would just be mean,” he said.
The petition states: “The Sunshine Coast Council has released a master plan for Point Cartwright and La Balsa Park removing access for dog walkers in large sections of the area and prohibiting current off-leash access on the river side.
“The council is proposing extending the beach access, however this excludes disabled and mobility-impaired elderly people from this activity. This petition is to keep access for dogs in this area as it is.”
Mr Gilbert said: “Taking off the ability for disabled or mobility-impaired elderly people and even mothers with prams to walk their dogs off-leash is awful.
“I’d hate to see the human rights of disabled people basically violated by council’s move.”
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He sent the petition to the draft master plan project team on Friday morning, but he said its numbers were still climbing.
“Our numbers are currently at 1841,” he said.
“It’s an overwhelming response because it’s just terrible what they’re doing to dog owners.
“Another key point in the master plan is you can’t even walk with your dog on lead on the concrete path on the northern side of Point Cartwright with these restrictions.
“We’ve already got very restricted times down there.”
Mr Gilbert said he wanted the online petition to stay open until council voted on the draft master plan next month.
“Because then it sends a message to them about what the community thinks,” he said.
“It just needs to be fair. If you read the environmental values report, it is just such a poor report.”
He said if council didn’t accept the online petition over a physical petition, then “the council wasn’t listening to the community”.
“If the draft master plan goes through as it is, we are likely to have people within our group stand up and run for council on a dog-friendly platform,” he said.
“I think the council is deadset against dogs and once they’ve finished with Point Cartwright they will just keep going. They’ve already done it at Mooloolaba.”
Related story: Changes to dog access amid draft plan for popular point
Cr Cox said extensive community feedback gathered since 2021 had helped to inform the draft master plan.
“This formal feedback gathered by council shows that many people want to preserve or enhance what they already love or value, rather than wanting dramatic change in the area,” he said.
“For this reason, the draft master plan proposes minimal infrastructure changes and aims to achieve a balance between the needs of all user groups including retaining all current recreational uses, while enhancing and protecting the environment.
“We really need our community’s input on key features of the draft master plan, which includes proposed changes to not just Point Cartwright Reserve, but our much-loved La Balsa Park.
“Do you want to see the boat ramp upgraded, new playground, more picnic areas and shade trees, reconfigured parking, traffic calming, viewing platforms and exercise equipment? These are all potential ideas which we would like our community’s input on before the survey closes on Sunday.”
Share your feedback on the draft master plan key elements here.
Council has been working closely with the community and independent specialists to gain ideas to guide the development of the draft master plan – a vision for the future, from now until 2041.
Following this consultation, the master plan will be finalised and projects identified for future budget consideration and delivery.
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
