Pups in Paradise Press Release 2nd September 2011
Sep
7
Written by:
Wednesday, September 07, 2011 3:48 PM
Pups in Paradise Press Release - 2nd September 2011
Pups in Paradise spokeswoman Keri Gazzard said today “ Sunshine Coast Council has a real fight on its hands with Councillor Chris Thompson’s proposed new dog off-leash regulations that slash some 70% of the off-leash pathways, replace open exercise areas with dense bush in the guise of off leash areas and will severely restrict people’s current right to walk their dog off-leash in La Balsa Park and the Point Cartwright Reserve between 4.00pm and 8.00 am. The proposed laws directly challenge the health, welfare and amenity of the community at large."
This area is used by people from the Sunshine Coast generally, not only Cr Thompson’s area. It belongs to all the Coast. Instead of people enjoying the opportunity to take a leisurely stroll through the park and at the same time allowing the dog to have a run, they will have to walk up to two or three kilometres with the dog on the lead before it can be given a run. These existing local laws were settled after community consultation, have been in place for more than 10 years and continue to work very well for all users of the dog off-leash areas,” she said.
Mrs Gazzard said “after all of the debate that occurred around 18 months ago, it is inconceivable that Cr Chris Thompson has so badly misjudged the community dissatisfaction with the proposed changes.
“Pups in Paradise has several thousand signatures (and growing) supporting the existing dog off-leash laws and Cr Thompson is urged to reconsider the proposed new dog off-leash laws or face the inevitable reaction at the election box at the forthcoming council elections” she said.
Mrs Gazzard said, "The time allowed by Council for the making submissions is way too short and many people are disadvantaged and silenced because of this."
Mrs Gazzard went on to say “It is ludicrous for new restrictions to be introduced that take away the existing rights of law abiding dog owners to give their dog a run in La Balsa Park and the Point Cartwright Reserve. On most days, very few people (other than dog owners) frequent these public spaces so, it is difficult to understand why any change to the current laws are being considered. There are limited opportunities for dog owners to exercise their dogs in the Buddina area and any further reduction of existing dog off-leash areas will put extreme pressure on the existing areas."
"The impact of a high concentration of dogs on leads, especially along the footpaths, will significantly increase the risk of accidents with other public facility users. There are dozens of elderly people who walk their dogs in the La Balsa Park and Point Cartwright Reserve every day and this area is the only safe area where they can do so” she said.
These elderly people, as well as young mothers juggling children, prams and dogs,will be severely disadvantaged if the current laws are revised and the proposed laws are introduced" she said
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