At its July council meeting, Cockburn council backed councillor Kevin Allen’s motion to allow dogs to visit alfresco areas at the Coogee Beach Cafe and the Surfing Lizard Cafe at the Coogee Surf Life Saving Club, if agreed to by cafe operators.
Dogs have to be on leads and are still restricted from beaches, picnic areas and the jetty.
Surfing Lizard Cafe owner Sam Tito said she was “stoked” with council’s decision.
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READ NOWShe said 60 to 70 per cent of her customers were dog walkers, with many of those too frightened to bring their dogs while a decision from council was pending.
“We’re happy to have dogs here; not inside obviously and they have to be in control,” she said.
“But we have never had any issues before.
“Most of our customers walk really early and call in on the way back.”
A Coogee Beach Cafe spokeswoman said sales there had dropped too.
“Our customers were calling us saying, ‘we can’t come, we’re very upset’,” she said.
“We’re very happy with the decision.
“People with dogs don’t need the whole area, and they’re all responsible.”
North Coogee resident Peree Mehmet, who in 2015 unsuccessfully petitioned to have a section of Coogee Beach designated as a dog exercise area, said she was ecstatic to be able to visit her local cafe.
Joanne Edwards: “My daughter is scared of dogs so she won’t feel comfortable playing in that area of the cafe now with dogs there. I hope they don’t let them anywhere near the playground.”
Amanda Purser: “They have always had dogs at the surfing lizard and have dog water bowls out to welcome them. “
Linda Demarco: “And if they poop? I’m not against it as such but dogs are still not people so it could put folks off.”
Wendy Beasy: “Have to say Adelaide/Glenelg is very dog/people friendly. There’s a lot of puppy schools, dogs on beaches … we lived on the beach practically (and) never an issue with dogs…”