FAQs
Why is a Dog Recreation Strategy being prepared?
With a growing residential population, increasing dog ownership and limited public space, Willoughby City Council identified the need for a Dog Recreation Strategy. Once developed and adopted, the Strategy will provide Council with a guiding framework for the next 10-years to enhance opportunities for dog recreation while giving appropriate consideration to a range of challenges including competing public open space interests, public safety, environmental protection and resourcing. Council recognises a balanced approach is required to ensure parks and public spaces across the local government area continue to best service community needs, functions and diversity of use. The Strategy will also be accompanied by guidelines to promote responsible dog ownership and dog-friendly spaces.
Where can I exercise my dog on leash?
Dogs can be exercised on leash in almost all parks and public spaces including footpaths and open spaces. However, the Companion Animal Act 1998 does prescribe some public areas where dogs are not permitted (on leash and/or off leash), such as within 10m of play areas/playgrounds, public bathing areas, school grounds, childcare centres, Wildlife Protection Areas, during organised sport and some food service/preparation areas.
Where can I exercise my dog off leash?
Willoughby City Council provides a number of designated areas within specific parks where dogs can be exercised off leash. Please note some of these dog off leash areas have defined areas and/or time restrictions to enable park use for other community purposes. Please refer to Council’s website to learn more about dog off leash areas. Dog/s off leash in these areas must be under effective control by their owner/s at all times.
Will the Dog Recreation Strategy impact how I can exercise my dog in the future?
The Dog Recreation Strategy will seek to encourage and promote dog exercise both on leash and off leash across the Willoughby City Council local government area. The Strategy will review existing parks/public spaces where dog recreation takes place, provide recommendations to improve dog recreation and enhance overall park/public space user experience. This could potentially include the identification of new dog recreation areas, opportunities to improve dog-related facilities and/or highlight better management practices for safe and equitable use of parks/public spaces.
What are Wildlife Protection Areas and how do they affect how I can exercise my dog?
To preserve and protect our native wildlife, Willoughby City Council has some selected bushland reserves which are designated Wildlife Protection Areas. These areas provide an essential habitat for many of the native animals found in Willoughby. Native wildlife breeding cycles and watercourses can be negatively impacted by dog faeces, urine and pheromones. To balance native wildlife protection and the needs residents with dogs, some bushland areas are designated Category 1 Wildlife Protection Areas (no dogs permitted at all) and some are Category 2 Wildlife Protection Areas (dogs permitted on leash on formal tracks). The Dog Recreation Strategy will give consideration to the role and importance of Wildlife Protection Areas.
Which areas will be included in the Dog Recreation Strategy?
For the purposes of the Dog Recreation Strategy a park or public space is considered to be an outdoor place used by the community for public purposes. This may include passive parks, sportsgrounds, playgrounds, bushlands, footpaths, shared user paths, grass verges, plazas or outside places intended for public congregations or thoroughfare. Lands may be owned by Council and/or under Council’s care, control and management.
The Dog Recreation Strategy will only include parks, reserves and public spaces inside the Willoughby City Council local government area. While the Strategy will consider access to nearby dog recreation areas in adjoining Council areas, it will not provide specific actions or recommendations for other parks outside the Willoughby City Council local government area. For example, Tunks Park in Cammeray (North Sydney Council), Blackman Park (Lane Cove Council) and Lane Cove National Park (NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service) will fall outside the remit of Willoughby City Council’s Dog Recreation Strategy.
Will the Dog Recreation Strategy include dogs on private land?
No. The Dog Recreation Strategy will focus on dog recreation on public and/or Community lands. The Strategy will not include dog recreation or ownership in privately owned lands. Dog/s on private land are the responsibility of individual dog owners as prescribed by the Companion Animal Act 1998.
Does my dog need to be registered and microchipped?
Yes. Legally dog must be registered and microchipped. Microchipping and registration requirements are covered under the Companion Animal Act 1998 and will be acknowledged in the guidelines for responsible dog ownership which will accompany the Dog Recreation Strategy.
Further information on registration and microchipping available on Council’s website.
Will the Dog Recreation Strategy impact people with assistance animals?
No. The Dog Recreation Strategy will not alter any legal definitions, rights or access entitlements for people living with a disability and/or their assistance animals. Assistance animals are legally recognised under the Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cwth), Anti-discrimination Act 1977 (NSW) and the Companion Animal Act 1998 (NSW). Assistance animals must be trained and accredited under NSW law to assist a person with a disability. It is unlawful to deny entry to a building, public place and/or public transport for a person with a disability and/or their assistance animal.