Off leash dog areas finalised
After years of consultation, community discussion and trial areas, Baw Baw Shire has identified seven off-leash dog areas across the shire.
Funding for the parks will be subject to council’s current budget process but officers indicated the costs of providing premium parks in three towns could be up to $139,000.
The off-leash areas will be established at Brooker Park, Warragul; Bellbird Park, Drouin; Darnum Recreation Reserve; Dunstan Oval, Rawson; St Phillack Reserve, Rawson; Dowton Park, Yarragon; and Linear Reserve Trafalgar, west of Edward Cres.
The off-leash areas at Warragul, Yarragon and Trafalgar will be finalised following further consultation with community members.
The Warragul, Drouin and Trafalgar areas will be established as premium dog parks that will be fully fenced with extra amenities such as dog litter bins and bags, extra signage, agility equipment and a drinking fountain suitable for dogs.
The cost of providing these premium parks is expected to be between $27,000 for a 140 metre fenced area to possible $64,817 for a 560 metre fenced area at Brooker Park.
In approving off-leash areas, council also declared the Warragul Velodrome to be a no dogs allowed area.
A 12-month trial of nine proposed off-leash areas ended in March 2016. Further consultation and surveys with community members has followed, with three proposed sites at Alex Goudie Park, Drouin; Kydd Reserve, Jindivick; and James Balfour Oak Tree Park, Trafalgar being abandoned.
Officers said establish off-leash areas would support dog owners to exercise their pets responsibly while protecting the safety and enjoyment of other park users.
“Off-leash areas do not negate a pet owner’s responsibilities and requirements of pet ownership imposed by the Domestic Animals Act.
“Off-leash area park etiquettes have been established to ensure the fair and proper use of the areas,” the report said.
During community consultation in 2016, council received 124 submissions with 69 per cent in favour of more permanent dog off-leash areas.
Cr Darren Wallace said these areas would allow dog owners to exercise their dogs off leads.
But Cr Wallace said supporting the designated areas did not guarantee funding in next year’s budget.
Cr Mikaela Power said she wanted to see further consultation on the best site in Brooker Park for an off leash area to be established.
The trial also proved that Balfour Park in Trafalgar was not suitable and Cr Power said after hearing from a number of Trafalgar residents, there was support for an off-leash area to be established west of Edwards Cres.
She said further consultation would ensure everyone was clear about the proposed area and it was a chance to test the design with community members.
Cr Danny Goss said council’s by-laws stated it was illegal to walk dogs off their leads.
He said it was hard work trying to tell people they had to have their dogs on leads.
“Some of these people who let their dogs go anywhere certainly don’t want to be told they are doing something wrong.
“But there is a danger and there are some stupid people who own dogs,” he said.
Cr Tricia Jones said house lot sizes were getting smaller so it made sense to have locations where people could let their dogs run.
Cr Michael Leaney said outside the off-leash areas, everyone should be walking their dogs on leads.
“Everyone thinks their own dog is fabulous and wouldn’t do any harm but that is not always the case,” he said.
St Joseph’s Primary School, Trafalgar said farewell to its reliable, ever cheerful and spritely school crossing guard Bruce English with mixed emotions recently.
Bruce English and his partner Trish moved to Trafalgar four years ago.
Bruce had retired from full time work as a truck driver and liked the country feel of the township of Trafalgar. He also moved to help with their three grandchildren living in the area.
Bruce soon realised that sitting around all day was extremely boring and decided to get a part time job. He came upon the position of school crossing guard and enjoyed the feeling that he was contributing to the community of Trafalgar.
The smiling faces of the parents and children every morning and night was the highlight of his day.
In summer it was beautiful standing out in the sunshine however the freezing cold weather, hail and rain was never pleasant. Speeding cars through the crossing also frustrated him.
Bruce’s granddaughter Chloe Mynard attends St Josephs and she loved seeing his cheery face every day, something that she will definitely miss. It also gave her ‘bragging rights’ with other students.
Bruce and Trish plan to travel around Australia upon Bruce’s retirement and hope to chase warmer weather.
The school thanked Bruce for his work at St Joseph’s, and looks forward to seeing him on Grandparents’ day.