New agility parks will be built in Warilla and Croom at Albion Park, with project designs finalised and the projects expected to be complete mid-2022.

An existing dog park at Oak Flats is also set for improvements, with additional equipment for small dogs.

It comes as councillors voted to endorse a plan for two new off-leash dog areas along North Beach at Shellharbour Village, as well as Kiyong Beach at Reddall Reserve at Lake Illawarra, at last night's council meeting.

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Cassie Briggs, who runs Pawfect Walkers and Sitters, was excited by the news and said the city desperately needed more canine-friendly spaces to ease overcrowding.

"It's definitely crying out for more, the only beach that's off-leash is near Bass Point," she said.

"Even to spread it out, so people aren't crowded at the one beach and giving the dogs a chance to sniff different smells, the enrichment going to different places."

Miss Briggs believes dog owners are increasing in Shellharbour due to people moving to the area along with new companions sought during the recent lockdown.

Shellharbour City Council estimates the local government area has close to 30,000 registered dogs - more than one for every three humans.

Currently the city only has six off-leash areas for dogs, with one of those being a beachside location.

The City of Wollongong has off-leash dog areas at 11 beaches from Port Kembla to Stanwell Park and another six parks.

Investigations into the beach locations began in September and included public feedback revealing the community had strong and conflicting views when it came to allowing dogs on beaches.

The Kiyong Beach site would include about 200m of sand inside the breakwater at Reddall Reserve.

The Shellharbour North area would be 500m long, between the patrolled sections of Black Beach to the north and Shellharbour North Beach to the south.

Meantime, the new agility parks at Warilla and Croom will include fencing, bins, dog waste bags, seating, drinking fountains and parking spaces.

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Shellharbour City Council CEO Carey McIntyre said the council currently provided several dog friendly spaces for dogs and owners to spend time together.

"Community consultation used to inform council's Dog Friendly Spaces Strategy in 2019 found that more than 80 per cent of those surveyed wanted to see an increase in dog-friendly spaces across the city," Mr McIntyre said.

The next step in being able to welcome furry friends to frolic at North Beach and Kiyong Beach is for council to conduct more detailed studies into such things at environmental impacts, financial implications, public and social impact.

For more details, visit council's website: www.shellharbour.nsw.gov.au

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