Tighter Dog Restrictions Start

November 29, 2007: December is the start of tighter restrictions on exercising dogs on our shire’s beaches.

Council Ranger Michael Franic said dogs were not permitted on Bar Beach Merimbula
Pambula Beach, Pambula River mouth, Cocora Beach Eden, and Tathra Beach from the headland north to the northern end of the Tourist Park between 8am and 6pm.

“With the summer season we see an influx of people enjoying our beaches and the ban on dogs will add to that experience,” Mr Franic said.

“Dog owners have a number of options when it comes to taking their pets for exercise with a number of leash free areas across the shire.”

Dog owners are reminded that dogs are banned within 100 metres of lifeguard patrol zones at Camel Rock, Horseshoe Bay, Tathra Beach, Short Point Merimbula, Main Beach Merimbula, Pambula Beach and Eden’s Aslings beach.

A dog ban is in place all times at Bruce Steer Pool – Bermagui and The Blue Pools – Bermagui as well as Tathra Wharf, Merimbula Wharf and Lions Park, Mogareeka.

Restrictions are already in place for a number of wildlife protection areas in the shire and these will be in place until April 30, 2008.

These are:

• Murunna Point from the lake mouth south to Camel Rock
• Murunna Point sand spit north of the inlet
• Spencer Park Beach from Spencer Beach to East Bar Beach
• Mogareeka inlet sand spits in estuary
• Mogareeka inlet from the rocks at the headland south to Lions Park

“It is important for dog owners to recognise and support the restrictions,” Mr Franic said.

“The restrictions are about creating a good balance for beach goers, protecting some of Australia’s unique breeding grounds and minimising negative impacts on dune stabilisation works and caring for native flora and fauna.”

Council provides a number of leash free areas which are open spaces suitable for exercising dogs off leads.

“Dogs are only permitted in these areas unleashed if under effective control of their owner or handler and people must carry a plastic bag or similar and remove and properly dispose of all faeces,” Mr Franic said.

Leash free areas are located at:

• Hayward’s Beach Bermagui – south of the Camel Rock entrance for one kilometre and ending near the Wallaga Lake Road/ Old Tilba Road intersection.
• Bermagui Headland Reserve – from the lookout (opposite Zane Grey Caravan Park) and south to the headland.
• Tathra Beach Tathra – south of the golf course entrance to the carpark north of the Caravan Park.
• Short Point Beach, Tura Beach – from the southern most Pacific Way carpark (Adjacent to 162 Pacific Way) south to the carpark/ barbeque area at the northern end of Surf Circle.
• Main Beach Merimbula – from a point 200m south of the Ford Oval entrance to a point 600m south.
• Pambula Beach – from the Lions Beach carpark pedestrian entry north for 300m to the rocks.
• Aslings Beach, Eden – from the Curalo Lagoon entrance south to the Skate Park entrance.
• River Park Bega (Auckland Street) in the area sign-posted. (The Willows)
• Short Point Beach in the area signposted - the grassy headland.
• Keith’s Pinch Eden in the area signposted.

“Rangers will step up patrols and dog owners are warned that infringement notices will be issued to people who ignore the warnings,” Mr Franic said.

“We want to work with the community and ensure that all people can enjoy the area with or without their pets.”