Pelican Waters dog owners knew they weren’t barking up the wrong tree when they lobbied Sunshine Coast Council and provided feedback to establish an exercise area for their pooches.
One of them, Joey Mogg, began a petition in mid-2022 to establish a dog exercise area (DEA) after realising there was more than 30 local parks within the community but no designated off-leash areas.
The idea stemmed from noticing how much not having a fenced dog park nearby was affecting her elderly mother, her neighbours and other community members who weren’t able to give their pooches the run they needed.
Mrs Mogg walked about 66km and letterbox-dropped more than 2000 flyers to gain support from local residents and submit the petition to Sunshine Coast Council.
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The council said last May that it had received numerous requests for a DEA in Pelican Waters over several years, and then asked the community to offer preferences.
Three fenced sites were identified as suitable:
• Judy Henzell Park
• Raptor Park
• Scribbly Gum Park.
The council this week reported that between May and June last year, it had received more than 670 surveys and many submissions that provided a better understanding of the community’s values and favoured locations.
The survey results showed 87 per cent wanted a DEA in Pelican Waters and strong support for a number of the parks identified as good options.
Following the review of the community consultation results, and further detailed investigation, the council reported that Judy Henzell Park had been selected as the preferred location for the facility.
“Judy Henzell Park provides a larger exercise area, has the least impact to open space, a lower impact to residents with no direct abutting lots, and has complementary existing infrastructure,” the council said.
The council will work on the design of the exercise area and undertake further engagement with surrounding residents before starting construction mid-year.
For more info on the community engagement results please visit the council’s Have Your Say website.
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