Shire of Augusta-Margaret River council backs contentious changes to dog exercise areas

Shire of Augusta-Margaret River councillors have pushed through advertised changes to dog exercise areas despite complaints about the consultation process. The changes included much-needed extra dog exercise areas in residential areas, including a proposed fenced enclosure in Brookfield, but the removal of a 200m stretch of prime beach between Gnarabup Beach and Riflebutts Reserve sparked claims the shire wasn’t listening to residents. The changes stem from a review of decisions made late last year that received backlash from some coastal dog owners dismayed at the loss of Gas Bay from approved areas. Regular Gnarabup beachgoer and planning consultant Peter Gleed said public consultation showed 56.1 per cent of the 479 survey respondents opposed the exclusion of a big chunk of that beach from the approved areas. Mr Gleed said the rationale for that exclusion seemed based on making ranger enforcement easier, rather than what dog owners wanted. “A majority that did not support the proposal have not been listened to,” he said on Wednesday night. That part of the beach had been designated for dogs for at least the past 35 years and Mr Gleed said he was “bewildered why any change to the dog exercise area is even necessary”. While dog owners behaving badly underscored some of the review, it was concerns about the at-risk hooded plover which nests on beaches which drove last year’s changes and the latest review. Margaret River Coastal Residents Association spokeswoman Janet Dufall said most members backed the shire’s changes despite many owning dogs. She said walking dogs on beaches was “a privilege” which had to be balanced against nature conservation, with dogs also undermining beach rehabilitation efforts. Despite the concerns raised, the five councillors at this week’s meeting unanimously backed the rangers’ review. Deputy shire president Julia Meldrum defended the “thorough consultation” on the changes and agreed beach access for dogs was a “privilege”. “Some people don’t understand the value of that,” she said. The changes also supported the shire’s community strategic plan 2040 which “clearly puts the environment at number one”. “Clearly this ticks the boxes here,” Cr Meldrum said. A 300m off-lead area on Back Beach remains open all-year round, while four new exercise areas were scheduled for Symphony Waters in Cowaramup, Crellin Place in Rapids Landing, Bottlebrush Drive in Brookfield, and Riverslea’s Farmhouse Place. Augusta could see changes at Flinders Bay due to ongoing complaints, but the foreshore at Flinders Bay Holiday Park will remain a dog-friendly area open to all residents pending further public consultation. About 87 per cent of survey respondents identified as dog owners and 96 per cent were shire residents. Shire rangers have also put people using Nippers and Cowaramup ovals on notice about ongoing problems with dog poo. Rangers co-ordinator Narelle Graue said dog owners “risk the ovals no longer being allowed for use as off-lead dog exercise areas” due to dog poo left behind.