Tweed to keep dog beaches

TWEED Shire Council has stepped back from its controversial proposal to scrap offleash dog beaches for the protection of wildlife – for now at least.

The council was hit with fiery opposition to any changes by passionate pet owners, Deputy Mayor Chris Cherry said.

Some councillors were concerned “hundreds of metres” of space on the region’s beaches would be forfeited to protect at-risk birds and turtles.

Others said they were hoping the off-leash areas would be relocated.

The council has confirmed there have been “no changes”.

But the areas have not completely escaped scrutiny.

“We may need to make changes in the future to ensure we strike the right balance between amenity for our community, places to take our pets and protecting native wildlife,” a spokesman said. “The community would be consulted before any changes are made.”

Cr Cherry said a new offleash area could open in Murwillumbah as part of a trial to see if the areas could be relocated away from the coastline.

“We’re not ruling out changes in the future, but when the idea was floated to the community there was a lot of antagonism about it,” she said.

“People were very upset about the perception that their rights were being taken away.

“We are trying to get a new off-leash dog park in Murwillumbah. We’re trying to get some of those off-leash dog parks away from the beaches so people have an alternative.”

Cr Cherry said a new council ranger could soon patrol the areas.

Additionally, off-leash dog areas in the Tweed will soon have better signage.

The council ran a public education campaign early this year to warn owners about the rules around dogs on beaches, which are home to sea turtles and beach stone-curlews.