Review of Dog Exercise, Prohibited and Rural Leashing Areas Policy (Closed)

The City of Albany is reviewing the Dog Exercise, Prohibited and Rural Leashing Areas Policy (the Policy) and is seeking feedback from the community on the proposed amendments.

This Policy was adopted by Council in November 2018 (DIS132). In 2021, the City received a number of requests from individuals and groups in the community to review the Policy in relation to how it applies to Rushy Point (Figure 1). In addition, due to the redevelopment works at Binalup / Middleton Beach (Figure 1), the City has identified the need to amend the Policy at this location due to the changed layout of paths and grassed areas at this site.  The changes at Binalup / Middleton Beach provide an opportunity to review the prohibited areas as there have been request to allow dogs onto a portion of the grassed areas.

The purpose of the Policy is to identify areas within the City’s municipal boundary under the following categories:

• Prohibited areas – areas where dogs are prohibited at all times.
• Dog Exercise Areas – areas where dogs may be exercised off leash (but still under control) at all times.
• Rural Leashing Areas – areas outside of town sites (as gazetted) where dogs must be exercised on a leash.
• All other areas within a gazetted town site not detailed in the Policy default to requiring a dog to be restrained on a leash or under control at all times.

Rushy Point

• Currently dogs must be on a leash at all times in the area of foreshore reserve adjacent to Princess Royal Harbour at Little Grove from Rushy Lane to Marine Terrace (Figure 2).
• Is an important migratory shorebird area and is currently sign posted as a “Bird Sanctuary”. The Rushy Point Bird Hide is located along the northern foreshore at this site, and is utilised regularly by local and visiting bird watchers.
• In addition, a large portion of the foreshore vegetation at Rushy Point comprises the Federal listed Threatened Ecological Community, Subtropical Coastal Saltmarsh.
• Since the Policy was adopted in 2018, the City has received a number of requests to review the Policy to prohibit dogs from the northern foreshore around to the bollards on the eastern side of this reserve where the majority of shorebirds roost.
• The City has also received a number of requests from dog walkers to review the Policy to allow dogs to be exercised off leash on the eastern side of the reserve.
• The proposed amendment of the Policy at Rushy Point is to:
• remove the Rural Leasing Area allowing dogs to be off-leash; and
• add a Dog Prohibited Area to the foreshore as per Figure 3.

Binalup / Middleton Beach

• Currently all dogs (except registered companion dogs) are prohibited from the southern portion of Binalup / Middleton Beach, being between the Ellen Cove Jetty and the southern walk access from Surfers Beach car park, including all grassed areas and the beach fore dunes between the beach and Finders Parade under control of the City of Albany (Figure 4).
• There has been some confusion by users who want to walk through the area on the paths with their dogs to access the boardwalk where dogs are permitted on leash.
• Due to an increase in paths constructed through grassed areas at Binalup / Middleton Beach, there has been an increased level of confusion by users. In response, City officers have recognised the need to amend the Policy to clarify the dog exercise rules in this area.
• In addition, there have been requests to allow dogs on the grass so they can picnic with their families. It is important to allow spaces for all to recreate and therefore it is proposed that a portion of the grassed area is accessible to dogs on a lead.
• The proposed amendment of the Policy at Binalup / Middleton Beach is to:
• continue to prohibit dogs on the beach and grassed areas within the Dog Prohibited area; and
• allow dogs on leads on the section of grassed area between the Surf Life Saving Club and the playground (Figure 5).

Figure 1         Location of subject sites at Rushy Point and Binalup / Middleton Beach.

Figure 2         Existing Rural Leashing Area (orange area) at Rushy Point.

Figure 3         Proposed removal of Rural Leashing Area and proposed Dog Prohibited Area at Rushy Point.

Figure 4         Existing Dog Prohibited Area (red area) at Binalup / Middleton Beach.

Figure 5         Proposed amended Dog Prohibited Area at Binalup / Middleton Beach, with Dogs on Leash Permitted on Paths only.  Area reduced in size to allow dogs on leash on grassed area north of the Surf Club and south of the playground.