A new dog exercise area plan for the Sunshine Coast has been approved, with the aim of creating better harmony between people and pets.
The plan was endorsed by Sunshine Coast Council yesterday and includes some key changes to the draft strategy that was released earlier this year.
At Coolum’s Stumers Creek, only minor changes will occur after community input highlighted concerns at transitioning a 1km section south of the waterway from off-leash to on-leash.
Save Stumers Creek Off Leash Dog Beach Committee member Bree Logie said she was “absolutely thrilled” with the outcome.
“Since forming in February this year, our committee and community have demonstrated unwavering commitment,” she told Sunshine Coast News.
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“Our supporters have signed petitions, completed surveys, attended council information sessions, focus groups and meetings, contributed to community data collection, and taken part in our events. It has been quite a journey – one that has fostered a remarkable sense of unity and camaraderie across our community.
“Earlier in the year, Mayor Rosanna Natoli and CEO John Baker kindly attended one of our community events and assured us that council was listening. By leading with positivity, cooperation and strong community-driven leadership, our group helped create an environment where constructive dialogue with council was possible and every concern could be heard.
“Today, we feel confident that our community’s voice has been genuinely understood and acknowledged, and we are grateful for an outcome that reflects the collective wishes of the Coolum Beach and Stumers Creek community.”
Ms Logie also thanked federal Member for Fairfax Ted O’Brien for his support of the group, who in turn commended the community campaign.
“After months of tireless community advocacy, respectful conversations and genuine grassroots organising, Stumers Creek will remain an off-leash area for locals and visitors to enjoy,” he posted to social media.
“This is a fantastic outcome and it belongs entirely to the community who stood up, spoke out and worked together.
“I’ve been proud to stand with the Save Stumers Creek Off Leash Dog Beach Committee and the many locals who have campaigned passionately to preserve this much-loved part of our coastline.
“Congratulations to Bree and the whole Stumers Creek Off Leash Dog Beach Committee on this hard-earned result, and thank you for your practical, polite and persistent advocacy.”
Councillor Maria Suarez said the council was appreciative of the community feedback that played a major role in developing the final Sunshine Coast Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan.
“The plan is designed to balance protection of our sensitive coastal environments with maintaining generous access for exercising dogs in outdoor spaces, in a region with 54,000 registered dogs,” she said.
“It will deliver a more harmonious approach to how dog owners and non-dog owners can share our parks, beaches and environment reserves, and includes a vision for 22 new dog parks over the next 20 years.”
Visitors arriving at Stumers Creek 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. The existing off-leash zone, which extends about 3km north and south of the creek, will remain unchanged.
Elsewhere, restricted dog areas have been established at Point Perry, Point Arkwright, Point Cartwright, Moffat Headland and Caloundra Headland, to keep the pets away from breeding, foraging and nursery grounds for marine plants, fish, reptiles, birds and other wildlife.
At Currimundi Beach, dogs will no longer be permitted to cross the mouth of Currimundi Lake between Beach Access 253 and 254. There is no change to the existing off-leash area north of the lake (beach access 253). South of the lake, the current 1.25km off-leash area will continue, stretching to just north of Ann Street (about 50m north of Beach Access 262). A slight adjustment introduces an additional 50m buffer adjoining the Dicky Beach Bathing Reserve to protect the patrolled swimming area.
At Maroochy North Shore, a seasonal closure of 500m of beach on the southern spit area will be implemented from October to April, to safeguard threatened migratory shorebird high-value roosting areas. A new off-leash area of 670m will be provided at Mudjimba South to offset the seasonal closure at North Shore.
On sports fields, dogs will need to be kept off active playing surfaces but can still use common areas while on a leash. A permit process will continue for organised dog events.
Cr Suarez said the plan responded to the region’s growing population and reflected the diverse values of the community.
“There is no doubt we love our pets and outdoor spaces and projections are we will have 80,000 registered dogs by 2046, so planning is very important,” she said.
“Our region is truly unique: it has 34 km of dog-friendly coastline, including 16km of off-leash and 17 km of on-leash access – which is the largest in South-East Queensland – and 1600 km of on-leash pathways offering residents a wide range of options for safe and enjoyable outings with their pets.
“Our beaches and foreshores are some of the most loved spaces on the Sunshine Coast and this plan ensures they remain safe and enjoyable for everyone.
“We’ve also taken steps to protect sensitive environmental areas, so future generations can enjoy our unique wildlife and natural landscapes.”
“I want to thank our community for their feedback and their valued contributions that have helped shape this plan.”
Council will begin delivering the action plan in stages, subject to funding and annual budget processes.
Before any changes to dog access can go ahead, the local laws need to be updated. This will happen in 2026.
Ms Logie said a celebratory Stumers Creek community event would be held in the near future.
“Moving forward, our role as a committee – and as representatives of our community – is to work in partnership with council to help educate the public on the importance of responsible dog ownership,” she said.
“This includes promoting an understanding of what it means to keep dogs ‘under effective control’ and ensuring both locals and visitors are aware of the minimal changes that will take effect when the Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint is introduced in 2026.”
