A Newport woman has started a Change petition to make Market Street Reserve an off-lead dog area after being fined $233 for not restraining her terrier-cross named Friday.
Stella Kinsella said the area between Champion and Challis streets was used informally by local dog walkers as an off-leash area, and unsuspecting residents may be unaware they could be fined for breaking a Hobsons Bay council bylaw.
“The area that’s in question was not that long ago an empty unused, unloved … virtual paddock,” she said. “In the previous 10 years, many Market Street residents have worked hard in a communal way to build up the reserve, which was significantly impacted by one of the worst petrol spills in Australia’s history in 2006. We want to make the area an official off-lead dog area because it’s not earmarked for any playground equipment or any schools or any zoning. It’s in a fairly semi-industrial area and perfect for people who would like to give their dogs a bit of a run.”
Ms Kinsella said she was fined for having a dog off-lead while planting saplings in the reserve with other members of Friends of Market Street Reserve on National Tree Day. “I was approached by a council ranger during the planting and told to take the dog inside. I complied immediately but still received a fine.”
Hobsons Bay chief executive Chris Eddy said the law required all dogs to be kept on a lead unless in a designated off-leash area.
“There are three such areas in Newport: The Warmies, Newport Park and Newport Lakes Reserve,” he said. “Council is developing an open-space strategy for all of Hobsons Bay, which will include consideration of dog off-leash areas to adequately meet community needs.
Mr Eddy said that when the petition was received by the council, a report with recommended actions would be prepared.
