Changing the Dogs on Beaches and Parks Policy isn’t just about alienating a few pet owners; it speaks to wider issues regarding increasing restrictions and a subtle but unwanted shift to the culture of our region.

Beach ‘culture’ is fundamental to the identity of the Illawarra. It is the reason that many of us moved to the area and it is the reason that those who have been here for many, many years have stayed.

For a lot of us, our lives revolve around the coast. It is central to our sense of community, with many of us associated with surf-life saving clubs, board riding clubs, swimming clubs plus the daily activities of fishing, boating, diving, swimming, exercising and beach combing. Walking our dogs, unleashed on the beach is a part of this.

We have built communities and friendships around this activity. For some it is a vital component of their lives and key to their physical and mental well-being, offering socialisation, exercise and connection in an age where we are increasingly isolated from others. Much like fisherman or surfers, exchanges and friendships are struck through a mutual activity and interest.

This is an issue of fairness.

We have enough space to accommodate all of the activities that constitute beach culture

We are not demanding access to areas that are currently off limits to dogs. We are simply trying to protect the spaces we have available to us.

We acknowledge that not all spaces and situations are suitable for dogs but the beaches that are tabled to change ARE suitable for off leash dog walking.

Withdrawing these spaces would mean residents of the Northern Illawarra have only one weekday off leash beach and NO weekend off leash access. This proposed policy runs against the recommendations of the recent Council Officers’ report and is Unfair and Unjustified.