Lost dogs
INVERLOCH residents have mixed feelings about the potential return of dog walking restrictions.
Bass Coast Shire Council banned dogs from Inverloch’s beaches from 9am-6pm from December 2013 until April this year.
While dog owners were angry, other residents believed the restrictions helped preserve the environment and made beaches safer for children.
However, for Inverloch resident Barbara Healey, the dog restrictions caused safety issues for her and her family.
Living in Surf Parade with no appropriate footpath and not able to walk on the beach during the day, Ms Healey and her dog were forced onto the road.
“We had to walk along the road to get into town when we’d usually cut across the beach,” she said.
“I was abused by drivers and the trees made it more dangerous because of the lack of visibility. If these restrictions come back, council will have to trim the trees before someone gets killed.”
Safety issues did not end on the road. The designated off-leash area for Surf Parade residents was the Abbott Street beach, which is covered in rock and slippery.
“It’s so dangerous and on a sign you have to crane your neck to see it says ‘this beach is slippery and unsafe’,” Ms Healey said.
“This is a lawsuit waiting to happen.”
Ms Healey said restrictions were too long and council should only restrict dog access to beaches during school holidays.
Council held a public forum at the Inverloch Community Hub on Monday, September 22. Residents were invited to express their views as council tries to find a solution that suits everyone before summer.
Liz Broeren is a new resident to Inverloch and brought her two dogs with her.
“We moved here to enjoy the lifestyle. I believe if we pay rates, we should be able to enjoy the beach,” she said.
“It feels like these restrictions are for visitors, not for the community.”
As a newcomer to the town, Ms Broeren told council it needs better signs along the beach for people who may not be aware of the rules.
The forum was attended by council mayor Neil Rankine, CEO Paul Buckley and Townsend Ward Cr Jordan Crugnale.
“I feel incredibly privileged to live in a place of such remarkable beauty and I want to preserve it,” Cr Crugnale said.
“I did not go in local parliament with a vendetta against dogs.”
The next stage of the consultation process will entail dividing the public into groups with the same views. This will occur after the school holidays.
“It’s not about dog owner against dog owner,” Cr Crugnale said.
“It’s about sharing this stunning asset.”
Mr Buckley assured the public council was not endeavouring to take away basic freedoms, but wanted to find a way to make the beach accessible for all people.
Short URL: /?p=12410
Posted by 
