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Dog Consultation Underway In Waterline Areas

Bass Coast Shire Council is working with the Waterline communities to identify potential dog off-leash areas, and fair and equitable use of beaches for all users across the Shire.

By Bass Coast - 20th May 2015 - Back to News

At its March Ordinary Meeting in 2014, Council resolved to undertake a Place Based Community Consultation process, involving the Domestic Animal Management Advisory Committee (DAMAC).

Council is now also working with a sub-group of DAMAC formed specifically to look at the demand for dog off-leash areas on beaches in the Waterline area, focussing initially on the Leadbeater Ward.

"The group have been working with land managers including Parks Victoria and the recognised Committees of Management in the area to try and identify potential off-leash dog walking areas. Dogs are currently allowed on-leash on these beaches all year round. The Coronet Bay, Corniella and Bass surveys will also include questions regarding horses on beaches," Leadbeater Ward Councillor, Clare Le Serve, said.

"To provide as many people in the community the opportunity to comment and support the requirements of a placed based consultation approach, surveys have been developed seeking community feedback on the main accessible beach areas in the Leadbeater ward."

Cr Le Serve said surveys will be sent to residents and non-residents in Coronet Bay, Corinella, Tenby Point and Jam Jerrup.

Grantville, Pioneer Bay, Bass and The Gurdies residents will be sent a survey relating to the main beach area in Grantville, which was identified as the main accessible beach used in this area.

The survey will also be available from basscoast.vic.gov.au/waterline, and hard copies will be available to beach users by request.

The survey will run until 5 June 2015.

Cr Le Serve said the DAMAC working group will provide the outcomes of the survey to the relevant land managers for each beach area.

"The information will be discussed between the working group and land managers to help understand community opinion and to see if any changes to current arrangements are required," Cr Le Serve said.

"Further place based consultation sessions will also be held, and will be based on the outcomes of this survey and the review of the information by Land Managers."

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com