Unleashed dogs will be allowed to roam free across more of Stanwell Park beach, if Wollongong councillors support a staff proposal.
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The council has been looking at changes to the off-leash areas at Stanwell Park since July, when councillor Leigh Colacino proposed a new round of consultation to review dog access boundaries established in 2010.
He said residents had raised concerns about the increased use of the beach, which led to clashes between beachgoers and dogs on the northern end of the sand.
Cr Colacino asked council officers to consider moving the current off-leash dog area to the southern end of Stanwell Park beach, in response to the changing patterns of beach goers and the location of patrolled areas in recent years.
The council mailed almost 1000 households about the possible change, and just under 300 people sent back feedback.
Two-thirds of respondents (185 people) supported the idea of maintaining the existing off-leash area at the northern end.
Eight people argued dogs should have access to all areas of the beach, while 11 said dogs should be prohibited.
The feedback also raised a small issue relating to the boundaries of the existing dog off-leash area, and council officers have therefore recommended this be extended slightly north.
The new area is about 40 metres wide.
In 2014, potential changes to some of the off-leash beaches sparked nearly four months of protests and social media campaigns.
The pro-dogs-on-beaches lobby group "Unleash Our Beaches" clashed with those who wanted man's best friend to be better tethered, and instigated mass dog marches in their campaign to keep dogs roaming free at Sharkeys, McCauleys, Little Austinmer and Stanwell Park beaches.
Kate McIlwain
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
For more than a decade, I've helped the Illawarra Mercury set the news agenda across the region. Currently I'm the paper's health reporter - covering the stories of Illawarra workers and residents in the wake of a global pandemic and at a time where our health systems are stretched to the limit.
