Backlash ends beach bid

It follows a council decision in February to give 28 days’ public notice of its intention to extend the dog beach south by 320m.

City planning implementation manager Pas Bracone said at a council briefing last week that staff no longer recommended the extension because of the public feedback.

‘The extension was supported at the time but this is no longer the case,’ he said.

From the 58 submissions, 49 objected to the proposal and nine supported it.

The issues included incompatibility of dogs with people swimming, fishing and enjoying family activities, management of dog excrement and uncontrolled dogs, as well as limited car parking.

‘If council does not decide to extend the Quinns dog beach, then the issue of how to cater for the increase in dog population will still need to be addressed,’ the council report said.

If the dog beach was extended, the council would have to consider moving the dog beach boundary sign, providing an extra dog waste bag dispenser, reviewing dog beach maintenance and additional car parking.

Cr Linda Aitken asked staff to confirm a proposal for a dog beach at Alkimos.

Mr Bracone replied that there was a proposal for a dog beach in the area of the Shorehaven development.

How it has developedJuly 2012: Council endorses its coastal management plan part 1 that includes a recommendation to extend the Quinns dog beach 700m south to the Fred Stubbs Memorial Grove car park. The plan is advertised for public comment with most responses in favour of a southern extension to the dog beach.February 2014: With erosion at Fred Stubbs it is proposed to only extend the dog beach by 320m. Council gives 28 days’ notice for public comment on the extension.March 2014: Community feedback included a 368-signature petition against the extension, an online 25-signature petition in support of the proposed extension, 41 written submissions and 17 verbal.April 2014: Council briefing papers recommend the council not extend the Quinns dog beach.