A GROUP of concerned Camden Haven residents object to a Port Macquarie-Hastings Council proposal to reclassify a section of popular local beach from leash-free to a no dog zone.
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More than 30 people gathered at Washhouse Beach at Dunbogan on June 24 to air renewed frustrations over the use of the beach by dog owners.
Council's draft proposal aims to prohibit dogs on the section of beach between the breakwall and Kattang Nature Reserve.
A report to the May council meeting said council and National Parks and Wildlife Service received many complaints about this section of Washhouse Beach.
The report said it was confusing for dog owners to stay within the small off-leash area in between two prohibited areas at Pilot Beach and Kattang Nature Reserve.
The proposed change would reduce sign requirements, reduce confusion and enable the National Parks and Wildlife Service to implement various management programs, the report said.
Proposed changes follow feedback from key stakeholders and survey responses.
Community consultation on the draft Dogs in Public Open Spaces Policy concluded on June 21. It will now proceed to the July ordinary meeting of council.
Samantha Lockey raised a petition with more than 600 signatures against the policy change.
She said she brings her dogs, Hank and Dot, down to the beach every week and for many, it is the safest place for them to enjoy open space.
"This beach means everything to us. It's where we feel safest, there are no 4WDs, it has easy access for the elderly and we can teach dogs to swim here," Ms Lockey said.
"There's no dog baits here, it's never crowded. It's social and you see the same people here each time you come down.
"The propose changes have made everyone really upset, it was very upsetting because it's a little community on the beach."
This beach means everything to us... the propose changes have made everyone really upset
- Samantha Lockey
It's not the first time the dogs on Washhouse Beach issue has been before council.
In 2010, council reversed its dogs prohibition rule at the beach after successful lobbying by the Dunbogan community and Camden Haven Surrounding Areas Dog Support Committee.
North Haven residents Bernd (Bernie) and Pam Fichtner, who walk their dog Max on the beach twice weekly, said they love the beach and have brought their dog there since he was a puppy.
"It's a stupid, really stupid idea to change the beach. The dogs play nicely together, they play off the leash and we have never seen any aggression here," they said.
"Another issue is the accessibility because we are getting towards our 70s and it is easy to walk onto the beach here.
"The south beach at Dunbogan is very steep, it's hard to get down, has soft sand and would be impossible for me to get back up if I was down there."
Camden Head resident Dan Guthrie said the community wants to see what is detailed in the complaints received by the council.
"I've been coming to Washhouse Beach for 22 or 23 years. For the first part of this century it was an open beach for all dogs," he said.
The draft policy said an important component of the management of dogs in open spaces was the suitable provision of accessible off-leash dog exercise areas, balanced by appropriately identified and managed dog exclusion areas, to support the whole community and to protect the natural environment including the adjoining national park.
Blair Maxwell said instead of prohibiting dogs on the beach, more of it should become an off-leash area.
"Reclassifying this beach to a dog-prohibited area would be extremely detrimental to the greater community because the beach is easily accessible by old people and families," Mr Maxwell said.
"The beach is partially sheltered for families with children, who want to swim but also have a dog.
"I never seen a dog in the bush over the last four years I've been coming here and that's the same for people who have been here for 30 years.
"Under the Camden Haven Community Plan for the area, one of the key objectives is to provide spaces for healthy use by people. This action of closing this area goes against the councils own documents."
North Haven resident Sarah Jolly said prohibiting access to Washhouse Beach could have negative impacts on the mental health of elderly residents.
"The dog park at Henry Kendall Reserve is not a viable option because there's no shade and it's a breeding ground for diseases," Miss Jolly said.
"The only other options we have is the other side of North Haven. For the elderly residents who walk their dogs for their mental health here, how are they supposed to access and walk their dogs at the 4WD beach?"
A National Parks and Wildlife Service spokesperson said Kattang Nature Reserve provides important refuge for threatened species such as pied oystercatchers, little terns, beach-stone curlews, loggerhead turtles and white-bellied sea eagles.
"Members of the local community have told us that they are concerned about the impact off-leash dogs are having on wildlife in Kattang Nature Reserve, particularly on the threatened shorebirds that nest and raise their young on the beachfront," they said.
"Even the sound or scent of a dog can be enough to cause the birds to panic and abandon their nests for long periods of time. This can be lethal for eggs and chicks that are left vulnerable to the elements or to predation by dogs, cats and foxes.
"Sadly, shorebirds like endangered Pied oystercatchers and Little terns, have experienced fairly unproductive breeding seasons on the mid north coast over the past few years, so any loss of eggs, chicks or adults is devastating.
"Our rangers regularly witness dogs being walked along Washhouse Beach beyond the sign-posted boundary where dogs are prohibited and have issued many cautions, infringement notices and on-the-spot fines to non-compliant dog owners over the past few years."
The spokesperson said NPWS supports the continuation of dog walking at nearby Dunbogan Beach.
"Fox and feral cat populations are impacting on shorebird breeding success on Washhouse Beach," they said.
"NPWS is unable to undertake a comprehensive pest animal control program in this location to protect the shorebird population due to the proximity of the current off-leash dog area and the illegal presence of dogs within the nature reserve.
"The rock platform area has also described as one of the most diverse rock platforms in NSW and is frequented by visitors and locals to explore the incredible species diversity contained in the rock pools.
"The area is a significant biodiversity and tourism asset for the region that is worthy of protection."
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