Dog Exclusion Areas in Sports Fields

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Consultation has concluded.

Dogs on Sports FieldsThis consultation has concluded. To view the report that went to the Council meeting of 5 June 2013, and the Minutes with the subsequent Council resolution, please go to the downloads in the Library . If you would like to be informed of further developments on this issue, including further consultation that may take place, please Email or phone Council's Recreation Development Officer.

Dog use on sportsgrounds is an issue which has been raised by sporting groups in the Blue Mountains at different times. The option of considering dog exclusion areas in sportsgrounds is an action of Councils Companion Animals Management Plan, as adopted in 2010. .

  • The Survey has concluded on 28 April 2013. An Summary of the survey can be vewed in the Library . Please note that this summary is on overview only. Further analyses on parameters in the data is required to obtain trends.
  • Guestbook comments have also concluded. The comments made however can be viewed in the Guestbook below.
  • A summary of all issues raised through this initial stage of the consultation can be viewed in the Library . This includes issues raised through the surveys, guestbook and letters.
  • Please read the FAQs and Background Information and associated documents in the Library
  • Email or phone Council's Recreation Development Officer.

Other phases to this consultation include a Steering Committee Workshop from community representatives, and a Public Exhibition of the outcomes. Please read below for more details.

Dogs on Sports FieldsThis consultation has concluded. To view the report that went to the Council meeting of 5 June 2013, and the Minutes with the subsequent Council resolution, please go to the downloads in the Library . If you would like to be informed of further developments on this issue, including further consultation that may take place, please Email or phone Council's Recreation Development Officer.

Dog use on sportsgrounds is an issue which has been raised by sporting groups in the Blue Mountains at different times. The option of considering dog exclusion areas in sportsgrounds is an action of Councils Companion Animals Management Plan, as adopted in 2010. .

  • The Survey has concluded on 28 April 2013. An Summary of the survey can be vewed in the Library . Please note that this summary is on overview only. Further analyses on parameters in the data is required to obtain trends.
  • Guestbook comments have also concluded. The comments made however can be viewed in the Guestbook below.
  • A summary of all issues raised through this initial stage of the consultation can be viewed in the Library . This includes issues raised through the surveys, guestbook and letters.
  • Please read the FAQs and Background Information and associated documents in the Library
  • Email or phone Council's Recreation Development Officer.

Other phases to this consultation include a Steering Committee Workshop from community representatives, and a Public Exhibition of the outcomes. Please read below for more details.

Guest Book

Below  is a Guestbook for comments.  You are encouraged to make comments on the subject of dog use on sportsgrounds.  Some subjects which you could comment about include

  • Sportgrounds being large available spaces for many potential uses.
  • Doing sport or recreation in an area that is also shared for dog recraetion.
  • Etiquette of responsible dog ownership in public places.
  • Effects of poor dog behaviour and poor owner management in public places.
  • Ways of achieving co-operative uses in sportsgrounds.

Guestbook comments can be viewed by other people, giving them a chance to understand the range of opinions on this subject. 

In addition to your Guestbook comments, you are encouraged to complete the on-line survey. The Survey is an important way for Council to capture a consistent response to key questions on this topic.

All feedback from this consultation will be considered and contribute to a report to the Councillors.

Consultation has concluded.
You need to be signed in to comment in this Guest Book. Click here to Sign In or Register to get involved

Dogs are a part of a family as much as any children are. To restrict the places where we can enjoy some fresh air and exercise with our dogs, forces us onto roads. In Leura many of the streets do NOT have footpaths, which makes it dangerous for dogs and owners. I know this is the case for many Blue Mountains suburbs.

The community in Leura especially is very dog friendly. In some ways if we had less restrictions I believe that more owners would socialise more often with their dogs. Paris, France shows how the community and dogs can share the space in many areas including restaurants.

We enjoy taking our dog to socialise at off leash areas and we have never come across any poor behaviour from other dogs or their owners. Of course occasionally we come across doggie doo which has not been cleaned up. But I believe that most owners make sure that they clean up after their dogs.

Sports grounds are not used 24/7 and to take away the few hours that dog owners are allowed to share the sports grounds is really wasting the space.

I'm really disappointed that Council would consider the need to penalise responsible dog owners because of the action of a few.
I for one would demand a reduction in Council rates if we are suddenly found to have less services available for us to enjoy.

LeuraLocal about 11 years ago

This is getting utterly ridiculous. We may as well turn in to North Korea Why not just post us a list of what we ARE permitted to do these days? As a dog owner, I fully understand that my dog needs to remain leashed and under-control in areas other than those designated off-leash. I understand I need to clean up after my dog. Fair enough. Banning dogs altogether from sports ovals is just outrageous. What's next? Ban children under the age of ten? (Children on the side-lines can be such a nuisance during a soccer match, don't you think?) Ban people from treading on the grounds when a match isn't in progress? Especially fat people cause they put more wear and tear on the grass! Why use a sporting oval for 7 days when you can use it for 2? Forgive my sarcasm - I'm just over it. As a tax-payer who's contributions assist in funding these sporting grounds, I am outraged that my basic freedoms as an Australian are once-again being reduced. It is my birth-right to freely walk around the community, with or without my dog. You people have WAY too much spare time if you think this is truly an issue worthy pursuing. Why not try contributing to our way of life rather than detracting from it? Your karma would be better.

Concerned North Korean about 11 years ago

This is simple, people who wish to walk their dogs in and around sports grounds need to keep their dogs on a leash and pick up their doggie doo! If not they should be issued a warning or a fine! A few signs may just fix the problem?

Mr Pickles about 11 years ago

Dog owners need to be responsible and clean up after their dogs then dogs would be welcome. Keeping them on a leash when others are around is most important.

Sharon about 11 years ago

I think that dogs are part of the family and should be allowed in recreation areas with their owner/family;this is on the condition that dog owners and their dogs behave responsibly, with the dog on leash being mandatory; that's the tricky part of this issue, because the inconsiderate minority spoil it for the responsible majority.

L & L Cormack about 11 years ago