Northern Illawarra dog owners are joining forces and preparing to fight for their off-leash beaches in the face of controversial changes to Wollongong City Council's dogs on beaches policy.
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A Facebook page dedicated to the cause has attracted more than 2200 likes, while the Wollongong Dog Community group has gathered 250 email subscribers in less than two weeks.
The community action group, which held its first meeting in Thirroul on Saturday, plans to raise a number of concerns at a meeting with councillors in coming weeks.
Under planned changes to its dogs on beaches and parks policy, the council has recommended dogs only be allowed on Sharkeys, McCauleys and Little Austinmer beaches at restricted times, provided they are on a leash.
Of a weekend, northern suburbs dog owners would be forced to drive to Bellambi beach - up to an 80-minute round trip for some residents - to let their dogs run off-leash.
Committee member David Hurley described the proposed changes as "radical" and said owners were struggling to understand why they were put forward.
"We've reviewed the 'debate' council has had when they proposed this new policy and we can't find a justification for it," he said.
"It's a very radical change to what's existing ... so we think there should be a significant reason for that change, and we can't see that.
"If councillors cannot provide a proper justification for the proposed policy ... then we will suggest that they should withdraw it."
The group has gained support from the northern Illawarra community, including Austinmer veterinarian Dr Warwick Prowse.
He spoke at the meeting on Saturday about the health benefits of having convenient access to off-leash beaches, for both dogs and their owners. Mr Hurley said the group aimed to raise public awareness and ensure all views were presented to council.
"Our group is about fairness and we recognise that there may be people in the community who have a concern about dogs, so it's about making sure that there are policies in place representing the views of the community," the Austinmer resident said.
"What we're trying to do is generate some meaningful change and to make sure that the views of the majority are captured."
The proposed policy is on public exhibition until October 6.
People interested in joining the group's mailing list can email illawarradogcommunity@gmail.com
