Some local residents and visitors are being caught out for failing to properly understand dog off-leash areas in the region, leading to hefty on-the-spot fines that have recently increased.
Sunshine Coast Council ensures its dog laws are enforced and have plenty of bite to pull irresponsible pet owners into line in public areas.
A council spokesperson said a total of 595 fines had been issued during the 2022-23 period for a combination of offences involving dogs being found to be off-leash in public spaces and prohibited areas, or being off-leash outside regulated times.
A pet owner can incur a $309 on-the-spot fine if their dog is found to be off leash outside those rules.
Previously, the fine was $289, with increases by the State Government to the penalty amount coming into effect on July 1 this year.
One Wurtulla Beach resident told Sunshine Coast News he was surprised to be slapped with a fine last year for having his kelpie off-leash on the stairs to the deck overlooking the beach, despite having the lead in his hand and the dog under control.
Under the council rules, the stairs and deck are considered public areas outside the designated off-leash zone that falls within Beach Access 245-249 (Blue Haven Court, Bokarina, to Moondara Drive, Wurtulla, from 5pm-8am daily).
The council’s Exercising Dogs on the Coast fact sheet states that all dogs must be kept on a leash when in any public space, unless in a designated off-leash area, where they may be exercised without restraint.
Dog owners are asked to always check for signage and to see whether off-leash times or conditions have changed.
The council rules state that if there is no sign, dogs must be on-lead at all times. This includes car parks leading to off-leash beaches.
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Similarly, sports fields are not dog off-leash areas. Outside of training and competition times, dogs are generally allowed on sports fields while on a leash, but local clubs have the right to ban dogs from their grounds and fines may apply.
Council offers this advice for using off-leash areas on the Sunshine Coast:
- Dogs must be near their owner and responsive to their commands
- Owners must carry a leash with them at all times
- Dogs must not interfere with any other people
- Regulated/declared dangerous dogs are prohibited in off-leash areas
- Dog droppings must be removed and disposed of properly
- Dogs are not allowed in children’s playgrounds or picnic/barbecue areas
- Dogs are not allowed to be off-leash on sports fields
- Ensure the council registration tag is worn
- All dogs must be registered with the council. Council issues a renewal notice in early September for each registered cat and dog requiring annual renewal. Payments are due by September 30.
It is also an offence to walk or exercise your dogs in public without carrying a waste bag with you. The offence carries an on-the-spot fine of $309 (which increased from $289 on July 1).
Council waste services provides dog tidy bins/bag dispensers for the removal of waste – located throughout the region in parks and, in particular, the areas close to beaches.
The spokesperson said the council was focused on raising awareness and educating the community about dog laws and safety, and what that meant for all residents.
Shared parks and beaches for residents and dogs was a priority for the council, they said.
Dog owners are responsible for their pets and must ensure that their dogs do not create a nuisance, endanger other animals or people, or roam outside their property.
Meanwhile, the council last month announced that the existing lifeguard service that operates at Wurtulla (Beach Access 248) would be reallocated 500m north to Bokarina (Beach Access 246) from September next year. But the council spokesperson said no changes had yet been made, introduced or finalised regarding on-leash and off-leash areas at the two neighbouring beaches.
Check the dog parks and off-leash area listings here.
For more information, including details about the animal management local laws, visit council’s website or pick up a responsible dog ownership brochure from a council library, gallery, visitor information centre or Customer Contact Centre.
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