The administrator is being asked to back away slowly from Council’s proposed Dog Policy after an overwhelmingly negative reaction.
Council staff are now suggesting they will develop and exhibit a revised and simplified draft Dogs in Open Spaces Action Plan.
The report to the December 13 council-under-administration meeting clarifies that there would be “no change to the management of open spaces while an updated position is under development”.
The revised draft Plan will include:
1/ Undertaking a detailed risk assessment in relation to the current Terrigal Off leash Area (OLA),
2/ Engaging an independent expert to provide Council with advice in relation to any environmental sensitivities at the current Davistown OLA and the Bush Stone Curlew, and
3/ Consider the appropriateness of timed and/or seasonal beach access.
Council received over 3,200 submissions during the public exhibition period in addition to other submissions made to
local MPs. (See screenshot below.)
The report says staff are still in the process of reviewing all submissions and will review actions outlined in the draft Plan to ensure the way forward is most appropriate.
Administrator Rik Hart is expected to endorse that approach at the meeting.
