SAFETY ZONES
PUSH FOR CROC- FREE EXERCISE AREAS
CAIRNS Regional Council is conducting a review of its 47 off-leash dog areas amid calls for a fenced pooch park at the northern beaches.
Division 9 Councillor Brett Olds said he was inundated with requests for more secure areas for pet dogs.
“I’ve had a lot of people from all of the beaches saying we want a proper fenced area in the suburbs,” he said.
“At the moment, we’ve got none north of Smithfield.
“A lot of people aren’t taking their dogs to the beach any more because of the croc issue – it’s like taking a lure down to the water.
“Even when they do, if they’ve got a little or mediumsized dog, they have concerns that bigger ones could turn up and attack them.”
Cr Olds said he had staked out two potential spots for fenced off-leash areas – one at Sunbird Park between Kewarra and Trinity Beach and another at Clifton Beach.
“It costs around $35,000 to $45,000 to put in the fencing, water bubblers and everything else you need,” he said. “I reckon it’s a goer.” He said residents were increasingly getting dogs to protect their homes against breakins.
“As a council, we spend a lot of money promoting responsible pet ownership,” he said.
“We’ve got to give owners the tools to keep their pets exercised.
“Some suburbs tend to get neglected and it’s just silly not to have a fenced dog park north of Smithfield.”
Maree Martin regularly walks her dog on Trinity Beach while the sun is shining.
She and daughter Bonnie were out on the sand with their border collie Milo yesterday.
“We would certainly back it,” she said.
“I don’t think Trinity Beach has as much of a concern as perhaps Kewarra Beach – they have a lot more dog owners and a lot more croc sightings.
“In the 20 years we’ve been here, we’ve seen a few go past but none really land on the beach.
“However, we do hesitate throwing a stick for the dog now because we are conscious that something like that could change our lives.”
Ms Martin said a fenced dog park at the northern beaches would give owners peace of mind.
“I think it’s good for the dogs too, to have somewhere to socialise,” she said.
“If something can be found that we can all safely use, that would be fantastic.”