Beach restrictions anger dog owners

The City of Busselton is often touted as a great place to raise a family, and no family is complete without man’s best friend — the dog.

However, the City is facing criticism from some of the 5726 registered local dog owners, who no longer feel welcome to take their dogs to the beach, parks or to enjoy a coffee at a cafe with their best friend.

Last year, the City introduced a variety of seasonal restrictions to dog beaches, despite community opposition.

Residents from across the region have reached out to theTimes to express concern these restrictions are destroying the dog-friendly lifestyle.

Dunsborough resident Tim Greay said the restrictions had gone on far too long and something needed to be done.

“The council has railroaded us to suit themselves and please the minority,” he said.

“It disgusts me that as a ratepayer and a taxpayer for the best part, I can’t take my dog to the beach.

“This has gone on too long and we’ll vote with our feet at the next election.”

Maria Wyer lived in Dunsborough for a decade before moving to Cowaramup.

She said she felt more welcome in Cowaramup and Margaret River with her dog.

“We don’t have many restrictions in Margaret River and we don’t have any issues with dogs,” she said.

“I feel more relaxed and welcome with my dogs in Margaret River. I think if the dog restrictions continue it will impact people wanting to visit Busselton, because dogs are family and people want to travel and be able to enjoy their holidays with their entire family.

Busselton resident Michelle Shackleton said the restrictions had made the beaches more dangerous for dog owners with smaller dogs.

“The changes to the boundaries and season rules were that our local beach is now inundated by large dogs off-lead that make a bee-line for smaller dogs,” she said.

“It would have been far preferable to say that all dogs should be kept on a lead, and impose fines on any owner without a lead for their dog and an even bigger fine for being without dog bags.”

The City of Busselton further upset residents after putting an electronic road sign at Yallingup Beach over the Easter long-weekend, warning that anyone with dogs on the beach would be fined.

The signs created debate on social media with many saying the City of Busselton was anti-dog.

Yallingup Surf School owner Crystal Wallace held surf lessons at Yallingup beach over the long-weekend and said the sign was quite the talking point.

She said many people were shocked and felt it was very unwelcoming.

“I had a number of people ask me about the sign and they said it was disappointing,” she said.

“They’ve just spent money installing several signs at Yallingup and the sign was a bit of an eyesore. There are so many more important issues the City should be focusing on, like the amount of rubbish on the beach.”

City of Busselton director of planning and development services Paul Needham said the sign, which is owned by the City of Busselton, was there to remind dog owners of their responsibilities.

“The sign was also installed to give people warning that there would be an increased ranger presence in Yallingup over the weekend, rather than people just being surprised,” he said.

“Unfortunately a lot of dog owners tend to ignore the dogs prohibited signs at the steps leading down to the lagoon.

“Signs were not put anywhere else over the Easter weekend due to a staff resourcing matter. This does not mean however, that a campaign of this nature will not be rolled out in other areas of the City.”

Mr Needham denied the City was unfriendly towards dogs.

“The City of Busselton is very welcoming to dogs. The City has more dog beach exercise areas than the entire Perth metropolitan area,” he said.

Yallingup Residents Association president Bill Reid said he was glad the council was taking action against dog owners.

“Dogs have been a concern for a number of years in Yallingup, with young children at the lagoon and the risk of having dogs there too,” he said.

“The sign was certainly high impact and captured attention, but many people are glad they are finally taking some action.”

A trial period for seasonal dog restrictions ended on February 28, with the council still to decide if they will implement permanent restrictions.

A petition was put to council last month asking for further dog restrictions in Dunsborough, asking the council to consider changing the classification of the beach and surrounding grassed area along Vincent Street in Old Dunsborough from a dog exercise area to a dog prohibited area effective immediately.

City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said the petition would be considered by councillors.

Dunsborough resident Gary Norden said the restrictions were ridiculous and were brought in at a cost to ratepayers.

“A good dog trial would have looked at the issue and tried to overcome them; this trial has achieved nothing, but inconvenience dog owners,” he said.

“History tells us that when council brings in policies and signage, they don’t plan on overturning it or changing their mind.”