On-leash Dog Exercise Consultation - Conservation Areas

Background

The City undertook 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. The parks under consideration were:

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)

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.

Why we consulted

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.

* Please note that the consultation period closed 26 November 2024 *

The City sought comment from residents and park users. A report with the community feedback was provided to Council, to determine whether any of the eight parks should become a permanent on-leash park. Signage was also erected in the parks with details about the trials.

Outcome of Consultation

At the Ordinary Council Meeting 18 March 2025, Report IE-004-25 was considered and Council determined:

1. UNDERTAKES public consultation to consider the prohibition of dogs from the foreshore area, including entering the Canning River to the west and south of the dual use pathway at Centenary Park West, Wilson, in accordance with Section 31(3C} of the Dog Act 1976.

2. UNDERTAKES public consultation for the western section of the on-leash Ferndale Park, Ferndale to become off-leash for a fenced dog park, in accordance with Section 31(3C) of the Dog Act 1976.

3. Subject to the outcome of Part 2 above, REQUESTS the off-leash status of Lambertia Creek Park, Ferndale to be referred to Elected Members via a Strategic Issues Briefing.

4. DETERMINES that the off-leash status of Bannister Creek Park, Brolga Park, Jasmine Park, Aderyn Park, Portcullis Park and Arlington Parks in Willetton remain unchanged at this time.

Further community consultation will be undertaken in regard to 1, 2 and 3 above.