Unleashing technology to ensure dogs and wildlife don’t mix
14 March 2019
New online tool shows the Tweed’s beach dog zones
Want to know where you can take your dog to the beach? Council has developed a handy new online mapping tool which shows leash free areas, zones where dogs are required to be on a lead and areas where dogs are prohibited.
The online mapping tool shows:
- Dogs must be on a lead at all times in public places, unless in a designated ‘leash free’ area
- Prohibited zones - no dogs allowed at any time
- Leash free beaches. This is to the high water mark only. Access to the dunal area is prohibited – please do NOT let your dogs go into the dunes as there are many vulnerable and threatened species in these areas.
- In all other areas at the beach your dog must be on a lead. This includes adjoining parks and walkways to the beach.
Council’s Director Community and Natural Resources, Tracey Stinson, said while these zones had been in place for some time, residents and visitors were often confused or unaware about the location of the zones and the points where they started and finished.
“We know many people get great pleasure from taking their dogs to the beach for exercise and letting them run and socialise with other dogs,” Ms Stinson said.
“It’s equally important to make sure that we’re looking after wildlife that live in this environment, including threatened shore birds such as the Beach Stone-curlew and sea turtles.
“Dogs need protection too and staying out of the dunes keeps your dog safe from snakes and other threats like ticks, as well as protecting the environment,” she said.
“We’re in the process of reviewing and updating our signage to make sure it’s clear where the zones are and where they start and finish,” she said.
The benefits of keeping dogs away from wildlife has been demonstrated at Hastings Point this summer, where a critically endangered Beach Stone-curlew chick has successfully survived to adulthood along the banks of Cudgera Creek.
“Well done to the Tweed’s dog owners for their understanding of the exclusion zone around the chick and for all the volunteers who contribute to its survival,” Ms Stinson said.
To view the online mapping tool, visit www.tweed.nsw.gov.au/dogs and click on the link ‘where can I walk my dog’ or go to http://bit.ly/TweedDogMapping
Over the next few weeks, watch out for Council’s ‘Dogs of the Tweed’ campaign - on social media, posters and in the Tweed Link - which will encourage residents to share stories about their dogs and spread the message about responsible pet ownership and the importance of wildlife protection.
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Caption: One of the 'Pugs of Pottsville' featuring in Council's 'Dogs of the Tweed' campaign to spread the message about responsible pet ownership and the importance of wildlife protection.