Parking issues spelt the end of the plan after Port Macquarie-Hastings Council investigated off-street parking opportunities.

There is now a new location focus as the council works to deliver an off-leash dog park in Port Macquarie.

The council will start community engagement for the establishment of Port Macquarie’s off-leash dog park at Stuart Park. 

Veronica Knudsen, who is among a group of residents opposed to an off-leash dog park at The Boom Reserve, addressed the June 20 council meeting.

“I have to thank council for listening to those concerns and conducting a review of alternate locations within Port Macquarie,” she said.

Mrs Knudsen said Stuart Park appeared to be a far more suitable location for an off-leash dog park and she hoped the council consulted with residents who may be affected by the proposed location.

Potential alternate sites were considered against selection criteria.

Council analysis found Stuart Park was a more appropriate site than The Boom Reserve.

The sporting precinct is already used for dog training and obedience classes.

There are public amenities and car parks.

The off-leash dog park would not impede on any sporting fields and would activate an underused part of the Stuart Park precinct.

The next step is community consultation.

Cr Peter Alley said the council would consult with the community before it came to an informed view.

Cr Alley said it was good the council had been able to identify a different location for an off-leash dog park in such a quick way.

Mayor Peta Pinson said the community had been vocal about the importance of off-leash dog parks.

The Henry Kendall Reserve off-leash dog park was well used, she said.

Cr Pinson said the community consultation process would ensure the council delivered the best outcome for the community.