The overwhelming number of submissions on Wollongong City Council's draft dogs on the beaches policy may have come as a surprise to some, but it is proof Wollongong ratepayers love their dogs and their beaches.
Submissions on the draft policy closed in August, but the council continues to review the 870 responses, putting them in a comments "summary" which is 87 pages long.
The draft policy proposes to designate beaches as green, orange or red for dogs.
Dogs would be allowed off the leash on green beaches but would be banned from red beaches. On orange beaches, residents would be able to walk their dogs on the leash when swimming flags were not operating.
Although the submissions continue to be reviewed, Wollongong council is undertaking an environmental study to further assess the impact of the policy on fauna, flora and heritage.
The council's director of planning and environment, Andrew Carfield, said although submissions showed the majority of residents were in strong support of the proposal, some valid issues had been raised about the environmental impacts.
"Through the review, council will thoroughly assess these impacts," Mr Carfield said.
"The environmental review is expected to be complete in December and council will make a final decision on its approach to managing dogs on beaches early in the new year."
Mr Carfield said community feedback made it very clear residents wanted dog owners to be responsible. He said the community would be kept informed about the policy.
Under existing rules, dogs are banned from all rock pools and beaches, except seven off-leash beaches at Bellambi Boat Ramp, Coniston Beach, Little Austinmer Beach, McCauleys Beach, MM Beach, Perkins Beach and Sharkeys Beach.
Dog owners face fines of $275 for not having effective control of their dogs in off-leash areas.
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