Dogs are happily roaming free at restricted times at the southern end of Mona Vale Beach following the start of council’s off-leash trial.
The 12-month trial follows environmental assessment and community consultation, with rangers sporadically patrolling the area.
Resident Viv Grimston took her dogs at 7am on the first day of the trial. “It was just wonderful to see all the dogs running around, happy and having fun together,” said Ms Grimston. “There were no fights – everyone was just really chilled and excited.”
Ms Grimston said she used to take her canines to Rowland Reserve in Bayview, but said it was always crowded.
Mayor Sue Heins welcomed the trial. “We are committed to creating welcoming spaces for all residents while protecting our beautiful beaches and local environment,” the mayor said. “This trial is about finding the right balance through clear guidelines, strong safeguards, and ongoing monitoring.”
Council has introduced new and enhanced signage specifying permitted off-leash times, safety protocols and responsible etiquette. New fencing will help ensure dogs remain within the designated boundaries and safeguard sensitive dunes and vegetation.
Pittwater Greens Councillor Miranda Korzy told PL she was pleased with the new fencing protecting the dunes, and the use of rangers. But said ‘there’s no way to measure success or failure, other than how well the fencing and other infrastructure hold up.’
“Local ecologists have told me that the review of environmental factors (REF), carried out over two days in summer with dogs on the beach was inadequate to establish what wildlife lives at or visits the beach.”
Cr Korzy said, according to the REF, dogs that were already using the beach before the trial were likely to be changing the environment because they would be viewed as predators by wildlife.
“The trial comes at the expense of the fauna at Mona Vale Beach and the delight many of us experience seeing these wild creatures so close to home,” Cr Korzy added.
Council will collect data on compliance during the trial with results guiding future decisions and investigations regarding ongoing off-leash provisions.
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