On-leash Dog Exercise Consultation - Conservation Areas

In consideration of the City’s commitment to protect native flora and fauna, at the Ordinary Meeting of Council on 19 September 2023, Council resolved to engage with the community in accordance with the Dog Act 1976 to determine support to change the following Conservation areas from off-leash to on-leash and report back to Council.

The parks under consideration are:

FERNDALE

Lambertia Creek Park

LYNWOOD

Bannister Creek Park

WILLETTON

Aderyn Park

Arlington Park

Brolga Park

Jasmine Park

Portcullis Park

WILSON

Centenary Park West foreshore (not the Centenary Park playing fields)

The City is seeking comment from residents and park users and will report the community feedback to Council, so that it can determine whether any of the eight parks should become a permanent on-leash park as a result of community feedback.

The consultation period will commence on 26 September 2024 and close on 26 November 2024.

Signage will be erected in the parks with details about the trials.

Background information

The City is undertaking this consultation to determine the community’s use of eight parks that have conservation significance due to remnant native vegetation and the native birds and animals that live in these parks. The consultation is a result of a Council report that assessed other Perth Local Governments' approaches to protecting parks with native flora and fauna, with some other Council’s requiring dogs to be on-leash in conservation areas.

Please note that protection and conservation of wildlife does not just relate to dogs chasing wildlife as there can be unintended harmful effects from off-leash dogs on wildlife and the natural environment. Dogs simply walking or running through an area can adversely disturb and stress wildlife and damage habitat and revegetation sites.

The City appreciates the number of dog owners within the City and the benefits of exercise for dogs and this consultation is aimed at gathering the point of view of the community, prior to making any decisions.