More than two years after councillors received a 400-plus-signature request for a fenced dog park, a new petition is again pressing for a secure off-leash facility.
Cooroy resident Emma Scowen has launched the latest campaign, calling on Noosa Shire Council to investigate either upgrading the existing Kauri Park off-leash area or finding another suitable site near the town.
The petition has attracted 246 signatures so far and asks council to establish a clear pathway towards a fully fenced, dedicated dog park.
Council, however, has not committed to providing one. A spokesperson said changes to designated dog exercise areas would require consideration of community feedback, environmental impacts, public safety, accessibility and legislative requirements.
Council intends to consider community feedback about dog exercise areas as part of a future review of Noosa’s Local Laws, with the next opportunity for the review expected through the 2027-28 budget process.
Ms Scowen said she was surprised Cooroy did not already have a fully fenced facility.
“We have some fantastic outdoor spaces, but there’s a big difference between an off-leash area and a secure, purpose-built space where dogs can run, play and socialise safely,” she said.
“When I discovered there had already been a petition back in 2024, I thought it was worth revisiting the conversation. Clearly, the interest has been there for some time.”
Kauri Park is officially designated as an off-leash dog exercise area but it is not fully fenced.
Noosa Shire does not have a council-provided fully fenced dog park, with the council’s current dog-exercise listings identifying off-leash areas but no fully fenced facility.
Ms Scowen said the lack of fencing made a significant difference for owners who could not safely let their dogs run freely in an open area.
“Even well-trained dogs can become distracted, particularly in an open environment,” she said.
“A secure enclosure provides an additional level of safety and peace of mind for owners.
“It’s not about replacing responsible dog ownership or proper training. It’s about providing a suitable space where dogs can exercise and socialise safely.”
Relate stories: Petition opposes dog access changes at popular spot and Council to consider petition over dog access rules
The latest campaign follows a 2024 push started by Kay Thornton. Her online Change.org petition received 600 signatures, while the formal petition presented to the council recorded more than 400 signatories.
Ms Thornton’s petition asked council to investigate council-owned land in or near Cooroy as well as the possibility of fencing and upgrading Kauri Park.
Ms Scowen said she was open to either option and wanted the council to consider the most practical and cost-effective approach.
Secure fencing, double-gated entry, shade, seating, drinking water and waste facilities were among the features she would like investigated, along with separate areas for small and large dogs if space and funding allowed.
“I don’t think we’re asking for anything particularly extravagant,” she said.
“I’d rather see council investigate the most practical and cost-effective option than insist on one particular site.”
The petition also asks for wildlife, neighbouring properties, parking, traffic and noise to be considered when potential locations are assessed.
The council spokesperson said it already provided a number of areas across the shire where residents could exercise dogs off leash, including Kauri Park.
They said any Local Laws review would need a council resolution to proceed and would be undertaken under the state government’s prescribed framework, including formal community consultation before changes were determined.
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.
Ms Scowen said she recognised council had competing priorities and was not suggesting a fenced dog park should take precedence over essential services.
“But given that residents raised this issue back in 2024 and we’re still having the same conversation, I think it’s reasonable to ask what has been considered and whether there’s a practical way forward,” she said.
“For me, a satisfactory outcome would be a clear response from council and some genuine consideration of suitable locations, costs and potential funding opportunities.”
Her petition is intended to be formally presented to Noosa Shire Council.
The aerial imagery in this story is from Australian location intelligence company Nearmap. The company provides government organisations, architectural, construction and engineering firms, and other companies, with easy, instant access to high-resolution aerial imagery, city-scale 3D content, artificial intelligence data sets, and geospatial tools to assist with urban planning, monitoring and development projects in Australia, New Zealand and North America.
