By Gemma Grant
A local council has voted to keep off-leash dog walking areas as they are at a Beaumaris beach despite concern from Parks Victoria and other environmental groups about the impact of pets on wildlife.
Dog walking rules for the beach alongside Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary cover popular off-leash walking areas on parts of the foreshore. Bayside councillors voted to retain these regulations at a meeting on Tuesday.
Mark Clair (centre) and other dog owners at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary.Credit: Wayne Taylor
Beaumaris resident and dog owner Mark Clair, whose petition to keep the current rules attracted 2000 signatures, said dog owners were relieved.
“We’re absolutely ecstatic. We saved our beach for our doggies, hopefully for all time,” he said. “There’s quite a few on-leash areas already, but very, very few off-leash areas. There are lots of dogs … they need to be able to run free. And it’s better for their socialisation,” Clair said.
Council officers proposed changes to the rules following a review flagged in the Bayside Biodiversity Action Plan. Ricketts Point is home to a range of birds, marine life and plants.
Under the proposal, dogs would have been prohibited or restricted to on-leash walks on the southern end of the beach, but an increased off-leash area was proposed in the north.
Rules for dog walkers in the area change depending on the section of beach, time of day and month. In an unusual arrangement, Bayside City Council is responsible for the foreshore area, while Parks Victoria governs the marine sanctuary.
The decision to maintain the current regulations goes against a submission from Parks Victoria, which supported prohibition of dogs in the southern section of the sanctuary during summer and the other proposed changes.
“The Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary not only protects one of the state’s most important reefs ... but also the intertidal rock platforms that provide important roosting and foraging sites for a variety of birdlife,” Parks Victoria regional director Jodi Heath said.
“While off-leash dogs remain a concern for Parks Victoria in relation to the marine sanctuary, we are pleased the proposed expansion of off-leash access to the northern portion of the sanctuary will not proceed,” she said.
Ali Horton, president of Marine Care Ricketts Point, said dogs posed a threat to the rich biodiversity of the marine sanctuary, particularly when they were allowed to roam freely.
“The concerns are that the dogs really aren’t in control by their owners, especially when they’re off-lead … they are causing disturbance to the roosting birds. And the amount of dog poo that people leave behind … is actually polluting the sanctuary,” she said.
A Bayside City Council spokesperson said the decision to retain the current rules was based on extensive community feedback over months.
“To make the existing restrictions easier to understand and follow, we’ll install clear seasonal signs and step up education and enforcement patrols,” the spokesperson said.
The intertidal rock area at Ricketts Point, which is governed by Parks Victoria.Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui
They also said the council would approach Parks Victoria about appropriate signage and greater enforcement of restrictions.
The council did not respond to questions about the environmental impact of current dog walking rules or how they fit within the biodiversity action plan.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.