Establishment of leash-free areas in Guyra

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At the Ordinary Council meeting held on Wednesday 26 October 2022 Council resolved to place on public exhibition for 28 days two proposed leash-free areas in Guyra.

Two preferred sites have been identified, being Lot 7002 DP 94125 and Lot 701 DP 94244.

The following sites are the preferred locations for the two (2) leash-free areas in Guyra. Both have access to the water network and would only require minor works to facilitate water troughs and/or bubbler systems. Both sites require secure fencing around the area to ensure that dogs are kept within the approved leash-free areas. Park benches and tables would also be installed to allow for dog owners to interact with other owners whilst exercising and socialising their dogs. Dog waste bags and bins will also be installed and serviced by existing Ranger staff. Dependent on remaining budget some dog play equipment may also be incorporated within the areas.

Location 1: Lot 7002 DP 94125, Balblair Street, Guyra

Location 2: Lot 701 DP 94244, 191 Sandon Street, Guyra


Background

Leash-free areas are designed to allow pet owners to exercise their animals without a leash in an open environment where they are not likely to impact on other recreational area users. Leashfree areas provide a location for owners where their dogs can be exercised and socialised with other dogs and therefore reduce problems such as barking and other nuisance behaviour.

There is no formalised leash-free areas in Guyra, although a temporary site on Mackenzie Street owned by Guyra Local Aboriginal Land Council was utilised in the past.

According to Council records over 60% of Guyra households have at least one dog and on that basis there is a demonstrable need for permanent leash-free areas in Guyra.

Public Open Space and Dogs – A design and management guide for open space professionals and Local Government by Harlock Jackson Pty Ltd, August 1995. This publication is accepted as the guide for Local Government in planning for dogs in public open space.

Jackson (1995) indicates that there are four principles that need to be established and considered when Council is considering access by dogs to public places and provide a sound basis for assessing the options for dogs access to public open space:

• Provide formal recognition of the legitimacy of dog owners as being a deserving significant group of customers.

• Understand more clearly the needs of both dogs and their owners.

• Aim for integration of dogs with other public space users while recognising that separation is warranted in some instances.

• Councils should apply a strategic approach that considers access on a comprehensive Council wide bases rather than on a piecemeal park by park basis.

Submissions

Send in a submission:
Submissions are invited and must be addressed to the General Manager, Armidale Regional Council, PO Box 75A, Armidale NSW 2350 or sent by email to council@armidale.nsw.gov.au

Submissions close Friday 27 January 2022.

Please be aware that if you make a submission, other people may have access to your comments and your name. This may be as a result of a report to a Council meeting. Reports to Council Meetings are available to the public.




At the Ordinary Council meeting held on Wednesday 26 October 2022 Council resolved to place on public exhibition for 28 days two proposed leash-free areas in Guyra.

Two preferred sites have been identified, being Lot 7002 DP 94125 and Lot 701 DP 94244.

The following sites are the preferred locations for the two (2) leash-free areas in Guyra. Both have access to the water network and would only require minor works to facilitate water troughs and/or bubbler systems. Both sites require secure fencing around the area to ensure that dogs are kept within the approved leash-free areas. Park benches and tables would also be installed to allow for dog owners to interact with other owners whilst exercising and socialising their dogs. Dog waste bags and bins will also be installed and serviced by existing Ranger staff. Dependent on remaining budget some dog play equipment may also be incorporated within the areas.

Location 1: Lot 7002 DP 94125, Balblair Street, Guyra

Location 2: Lot 701 DP 94244, 191 Sandon Street, Guyra


Background

Leash-free areas are designed to allow pet owners to exercise their animals without a leash in an open environment where they are not likely to impact on other recreational area users. Leashfree areas provide a location for owners where their dogs can be exercised and socialised with other dogs and therefore reduce problems such as barking and other nuisance behaviour.

There is no formalised leash-free areas in Guyra, although a temporary site on Mackenzie Street owned by Guyra Local Aboriginal Land Council was utilised in the past.

According to Council records over 60% of Guyra households have at least one dog and on that basis there is a demonstrable need for permanent leash-free areas in Guyra.

Public Open Space and Dogs – A design and management guide for open space professionals and Local Government by Harlock Jackson Pty Ltd, August 1995. This publication is accepted as the guide for Local Government in planning for dogs in public open space.

Jackson (1995) indicates that there are four principles that need to be established and considered when Council is considering access by dogs to public places and provide a sound basis for assessing the options for dogs access to public open space:

• Provide formal recognition of the legitimacy of dog owners as being a deserving significant group of customers.

• Understand more clearly the needs of both dogs and their owners.

• Aim for integration of dogs with other public space users while recognising that separation is warranted in some instances.

• Councils should apply a strategic approach that considers access on a comprehensive Council wide bases rather than on a piecemeal park by park basis.

Submissions

Send in a submission:
Submissions are invited and must be addressed to the General Manager, Armidale Regional Council, PO Box 75A, Armidale NSW 2350 or sent by email to council@armidale.nsw.gov.au

Submissions close Friday 27 January 2022.

Please be aware that if you make a submission, other people may have access to your comments and your name. This may be as a result of a report to a Council meeting. Reports to Council Meetings are available to the public.




Page last updated: 18 Jan 2023, 08:56 AM