Kim Camilleri does not own a dog, but she said her local dog beach at Stumers Creek — north of Coolum Beach — is her idea of “heaven”.
She and her partner walk the sandy shores every day “just to see the joy on the dogs’ faces”.
They even bought their house because of it.
But a spike in dog ownership in Queensland has prompted Sunshine Coast Council to overhaul dog exercise areas on beaches, sports grounds, and parks.
Under the council’s plan a kilometre of the Stumers Creek off-leash beach would become on-leash only.
Sunshine Coast Council says there are more than 54,000 registered dogs in the region and that number is projected to increase to 80,300 by 2046.
The council says there is a need to ensure “open spaces are safe, accessible and enjoyable for all residents”.
Under a proposed regional plan there could be 17 new dog parks but less access to beaches.
The region would retain 15 kilometres of off-leash beach access — significantly more than the local government areas of Moreton Bay, the Gold Coast, and Redland City.
But the beach provision includes more prohibited areas (from 8.3km to 13.7km), less off-leash space (from 17km to 15.3km), and less on-leash space (from 21.6km to 18.6km).
Four other existing dog off-leash beaches would be reduced.
Dogs would be banned entirely from Point Cartwright and Goat Island.
Permanent bans would also be introduced for sections of Point Perry, Point Arkwright, Moffatt Headland, Caloundra Headland, Alexandra Corner, Currimundi Beach, Ballinger Beach, and Happy Valley.
However, the draft plan includes new dog parks in growth suburbs, an extended off-leash section at Marcoola Beach and a new off-leash area at Mudjimba Beach.
The move has driven some residents to protest, highlighting the health and wellbeing benefits of off-leash areas for both dogs and their owners.
Deputy Mayor Maria Suarez said the aim was to create a “balanced network” of dog exercise areas that met residents’ needs and protected the environment.
“We can’t just cater for one user group and to the exclusion of everyone else,” Ms Suarez said.
Dog owners ‘heartbroken’
Border collie owner Fiona Ross-Munro said walking at her local off-leash beach was good for her health.
“It’s a really important part of my day, every day, to be down here,” she said.
“I’ve got a crushed L1 [vertebra] in my back, and my physiotherapist tells me walking through the water helps to strengthen my spine.
“Since I’ve been coming down here and doing these walks, I’ve been able to drop down on the amount of painkillers I take and become more mobile.”
Sarah Rowe of Yandina said she would be “heartbroken” to see the on-leash rule introduced at “the best dog beach [she’s] tried” with her German shepherd, Luna.
Ms Rowe feared there would be a greater risk of aggression and fights between dogs on leash on the beach than off.
“Putting it on-leash is going to cause more problems … because when dogs are on a leash, they go into protective mode,” she said.
“Off-leash, Luna will go down there and she will run and play and be everybody’s best friend, and we’ve never had an issue with her.”
Ms Suarez said the plan’s recommendations were based on data, dog ownership trends, industry research, and community consultation.
Consultation included engagement with 37 invited stakeholders representing interests and perspectives such as natural environment, dog-related businesses, community organisations, access and inclusion, and First Nations Kabi Kabi and Jinibara peoples.
Ms Suarez urged community members to continue providing feedback with an online survey and pop-up information sessions running until February 28.
“I’m really pleased that people are so passionate about it because sometimes we get really rich information that can be taken into consideration,” Ms Suarez said.
“The negative, I suppose, is that sometimes feedback comes at the exclusion of everyone else, and often information provided can be anecdotal at best, rather than driven by data.”
Final recommendations are expected to go to a council vote later in the year.
