Dog owners across the Sunshine Coast are being urged to check new rules coming into effect from July 3, which will change access at beaches, parks and reserves.
Sunshine Coast Council is calling on people to ‘know before they go’ by checking signage, council’s website and live mapping before heading out with their dog.
Sunshine Coast Council manager of regulatory response services Shanagh Jacobs said council was making it easier for the community to understand the changes before heading out.
“Clear signage is being installed across beaches, parks and reserves and our online map makes it easy to check the rules for your local area before you leave home,” Ms Jacobs said.
“You can access maps through our website, so you know what to expect when you arrive.
“Our region has 34 kilometres of dog-friendly coastline, including 16.4 kilometres off leash and 17.9 kilometres on leash, the largest in South East Queensland.
“We also have more than 1600 kilometres of on-leash pathways, giving residents plenty of safe and enjoyable options to get out with their dogs.”
From 3 July, the new local laws will cover:
- Adjusted dog off‑leash areas at locations including Stumers Beach, Shelly Beach, Currimundi Lake, Ballinger Beach, Alexandra Headland Beach, Kings Beach and Coolum Beach to support safer shared use and respond to local conditions.
- Seasonal dog restrictions at Maroochy North Shore (Twin Waters) between October and April to protect threatened migratory shorebirds, with an additional off-leash area provided at Mudjimba South to offset the seasonal closure.
- Dogs no longer being allowed at rocky foreshores including Point Perry, Point Arkwright, Point Cartwright, Moffat Headland and Caloundra Headland, to reduce stress on wildlife and protect fragile habitats.
- Dogs not being allowed on active sports playing surfaces to protect the health of players, but will be permitted on-leash in surrounding common areas and viewing spaces.
- In many environment reserves, dogs will still be welcome on-leash. However, dogs will not be allowed in selected conservation, nature and bushland reserves with very high conservation values to protect plants and wildlife.
- New and expanded dog off‑leash areas, including Pelican Waters, Yandina Tea Tree Park, and Banya Avenue Linear Park. Council will deliver more dog-friendly spaces, including 22 new off-leash parks and upgrades to existing sites as funding allows.
The changes have come after Sunshine Coast Council adopted the Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint 2025–45 at the December 2025 ordinary meeting following extensive community feedback.
“These updates protect wildlife and sensitive environments, improve safety for people and pets, support shared use of public spaces and plan for a growing dog population, with projections of over 80,000 by 2046,” a council spokesperson said.
Check before you visit
Signage is being updated in stages across the region. At locations where dog access is changing, updated signs will be installed from July 3 and rolled out progressively over the following weeks.
Before heading out, the community is encouraged to: visit council’s website for the detailed changes; view the interactive map from July 3; and check local signage.
Council said it was supporting the community with education to help pet owners understand the changes and feel confident when out with their dogs.
“Simple steps like keeping your dog on-leash where required, following local laws, staying in designated areas, picking up after your dog and supervising dogs in off-leash areas helps everyone enjoy shared spaces. Fines may apply if rules are not followed,” a spokesperson said.
Visit council’s website for more information about responsible dog ownership and education programsc
