Sunshine Coast councillors are set to decide on a controversial plan for the region’s dog exercise areas, after key adjustments were made to the draft strategy.
The council is set to vote on the Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint 2025-45 at its ordinary meeting next week, following the release of a draft plan in February.
The draft plan drew sharp criticism particularly for proposed changes at Stumers Creek, where a 1km section south of the waterway was to transition from off-leash to on-leash.
But the amended proposal to come before council on December 11 retains the existing off-leash zone, which covers about 3km north and south of the creek.
“Council has listened to the community and stakeholder feedback and made several key amendments to the draft plan,” a council officer’s report in the agenda for the meeting says.
“Community input highlighted the importance of maintaining the site’s character (at Stumers Creek), so only minor changes will occur. Visitors arriving by car or walking their pets past the car park must keep dogs on-leash until they are at least 10 metres beachside of the car park. This measure improves safety for pedestrians and vehicles.
“The existing off-leash zone, which extends approximately 3km north and south of the creek, will remain unchanged.”
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More than 6000 people signed petitions by the Save Stumers Creek Off Leash Dog Beach Committee to try to stop the changes at the popular spot, which is just north of Coolum.
The officer’s recommendation is that councillors endorse the revised dog exercise area plan, although further amendments can be made during the meeting.
With 81,000 dogs expected to call the region home by 2041, the plan aims to balance community safety, environmental protection and recreational access.
“The plan outlines a long-term strategic framework to guide the planning, distribution and management of dog exercise areas across the Sunshine Coast over the next 20 years,” the report says.
“It focuses on provision across council-owned or controlled land, including recreation parks, beaches and foreshores, environment reserves and sports fields.”
Mayor Rosanna Natoli said in August that the month-long ‘have your say’ consultation period on the draft plan, held from February to March, attracted about 2500 submissions.
The officer’s report states: “The consultation process revealed a clear division in perspectives between dog owners and non-dog owners. This distinction underscores the need for a balanced approach that considers both recreational demand and broader community expectations, including environmental and cultural protection and equitable access to public spaces.”
Changes to the draft plan are also flagged for other parts of the Coast, while in some areas the draft plan remains unchanged.
An adjustment at Currimundi would see off-leash dogs allowed on Ballinger Beach south of Gothic Parade (beach access 255), instead from Robe Street (beach access 256). A minor adjustment to the southern off-leash area would also add an extra 50m south of the beach access 261 ramp, to align with the Dicky Beach Bathing Reserve boundary.
Dogs would still be banned from crossing the mouth of Currimundi Lake between beach access 253 and 254.
At Alexandra Headland, an adjustment would slightly decrease the prohibited dog access area from beach access 163 to 164, instead of to 165.
At Shelly Beach, 150m of sandy shoreline at the northern end would be reinstated for seasonal, timed off-leash access.
Retained from the draft plan is a ban on all dogs at rocky foreshores, including Point Perry, Point Arkwright, Point Cartwright, Moffat Headland and Caloundra Headland.
A new 700m off-leash section at Mudjimba South and a 100m expansion of off-leash space at Town of Seaside are also retained.
The officer’s report says the plan reflects council’s commitment to providing safe, accessible and well-managed dog exercise opportunities.
“The plan will enable dogs and their owners to access 34.3km of council-managed coastline, equating to 73 per cent of the region’s total 47.1km of beaches,” it says.
