Stink brewing on the beach
Residents are calling for a total beach ban on dogs after facing a growing faeces problem
Gold Coast, we have a poolution problem. From the faecal bacteria that forced the closure of Currumbin Rock Pool to stool spotted in our sand, it’s time we clean up our act.
Because, sadly, this is not a new poo problem.
Way back in 2015, four members of the Responsible Runners group conducted a random clean-up of the off-leash dog area north of Currumbin Creek and picked up 48 bags of dog doo in just 45 minutes.
The turd team reported that many pet owners had left their used disposable bags, provided as a service by the city council, hanging off trees on the foreshore.
Fast forward to 2023 and irresponsible dog owners are still causing a stink.
In fact, concerned residents on the southern Gold Coast say it’s a problem no longer confined solely to off-leash areas, with beaches, dunes and walkways littered with piles of doggy droppings.
Resident Paul* says he has been regularly tracking these canine bowel movements for months, sending evidence of the excrement to Gold Coast City Council officers.
However, he says the council admits it is a difficult problem to police unless they catch dogs – and owners – in the act.
Paul says he has called on the council to ban dogs on beaches until owners can demonstrate their doo-ty.
“The council do a great job maintaining our foreshores when it comes to the vegetation and lawn
Allowing dogs on the beach comes with responsibility for both the council and the dog owner
upkeep but walk down any one of the paths to the beach and undoubtedly you will find dog excrement and filled dog waste bags.
“With general litter, most decent members of the public will pick up rubbish they see on our beaches and dispose of it correctly. However, dog faeces is not something the average bystander would pick up
“Even walking along the beach I’ve stood in dog poo that had just been covered with sand.
“This entire issue only arises from dogs being allowed on our beaches.
“Dog owners need to realise that this is a privilege granted by the council. Perhaps the ‘threat’ of stopping dogs being allowed on the beach would draw attention to this pollution issue.
“Allowing dogs on the beach comes with responsibility for both the council and the dog owner.”
It’s a big call … and one that will no doubt be pooh-poohed by many dog
owners. But this issue is also brewing up a big problem for the city.
Look at the Currumbin Rock Pools.
Two weeks ago the popular swimming spot was temporarily closed after testing revealed significant levels of Enterococci bacteria – indicating faecal contamination.
Enterococci bacteria is found in the faecal matter of warm-blooded animals – including both humans and canines.
Swimming in such contaminated waters could put users at risk for urinary tract infections, meningitis,
intra-abdominal infections, and wound infections.
As for dog poop on the beach, there are similar risks.
Run-off containing dog poo can lead to bacterial contamination in our waterways and make beaches unsafe for swimming.
There’s also the risk of roundworm, hookworms and tapeworms left behind in the droppings of infected dogs.
While Paul’s suggestion for dogfree beaches may unleash a wave of criticism, it’s also unfair to dump this problem solely at council’s doorstep.
Already there are on-the-spot fines for the separate offences of not carrying dog waste bags, and not collecting dog waste. The cost of fines can range from $71.87 to $287.50 and even higher.
Of course, issuing these fines once again means someone needs to witness the crime … but perhaps even signage that warns these punishments exist could help.
Sometimes it’s enough for the bark to be worse than the bite.
Regardless, to all dog owners, please pick up your poo.
It’s not that difficult to doo-doo the right thing.
* Not his real name