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Tweed Shire Council has launched Take the Lead, a new behaviour change program aimed at reducing the number of dogs off-leash in high conservation value areas and other public places in the Tweed.
The program will focus on 4 on-leash areas with known threatened species including Bush Stone-curlews and loggerhead and green turtles at:
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Casuarina/Kingscliff
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Fingal Head
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Hastings Point
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Wooyung
The program runs from October 2022 to January 2023 and will involve new ‘doggy hubs’ at beach entrances, a social media campaign and the roll-out of increased enforcement patrols from Council officers with the support of the NSW Police.
Council’s project officer - wildlife protection Emily Clarke said this important program was being rolled out after a successful pilot program.
“When Council conducted covert observations of dog walkers in these locations last year, we found close to 75% of people were exercising their dogs off leash,” Ms Clarke said.
"The pilot program has shown us that a campaign which includes a combination of social media, doggy engagement hubs and increased enforcement activities can help to achieve a measurable change in dog owner behaviour, leading to a reduction in the number of dogs off-leash in high conservation value areas and other public places in the Tweed.
“This program will help protect our local wildlife but it’s also about making sure the beaches are safe and enjoyable for people and other pets too.
“It’s important we act as caretakers for our environment to pass on to our next generation – we want to work together with the community to protect our precious wildlife in the Tweed.”
Council officers will be issuing fines throughout the enforcement blitz across Tweed beaches over the next few months and will remind people to keep their dogs leashed in these sensitive areas.
“Don’t risk a fine which is $330 for walking a dog off-leash unless it’s in a designated off-leash area,” Ms Clarke said.
New signage has been installed at some beach entrances to prompt residents and visitors to keep their dogs leashed as they walk onto the beach.
“We’ve created useful ‘doggy hubs’ with signage, dog water bowls and dog poo bags. Each sign also includes a QR code linking to an interactive map to quickly find designated off-leash areas.”
Take the Lead has been developed by Tweed Shire Council with key stakeholders and the community through a collaborative design process. It’s part of Council’s commitment to work together to reduce our impact on the natural environment.
This project has been assisted by the NSW Government through its Environmental Trust.
Find out where you can walk your dog at tweed.nsw.gov.au/where-can-I-walk-my-dog.
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