Almost 100 ‘resident dog owners’ have petitioned Wagga council to create a new off leash area at one the city’s most popular riverbank sites.
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The residents said they would use the area “for the purpose of exercising and socialising their dogs”.
Councillors are due on Monday to debate accepting the petition and invite public comments on creating the new are around the pebble beach at Wiradjuri Reserve on the south bank of the Murrumbidgee River.
The motion also includes a move to invite feedback between January 28 and March 1 on proposals to create two additional dog off leash areas at San Isadore Oval and part of Explorer Park at Boorooma.
The resident who submitted 98 signatures in favour of the Wiradjuri Reserve off-leash area, Jonathan Woodcock, could not be reached for comment.
Mayor Greg Conkey said Wagga was a city that “loved its dogs” and he was expecting positive feedback on the proposal.
“We need to look at providing more areas for owners to allow their dogs to run free,” he said.
“I certainly support the proposals.”
“(Wiradjuri Reserve) has been a place that people have been taking their dogs for quite some time; it’s nice and close and they can have a swim in the river.”
Wagga council has previously approved six public areas where residents can let their dogs off the leash.
According to a report to councillors, the proposed San Isadore and Boorooma areas are enclosed by fences.
“(San Isadore Oval) area is currently used for dog obedience training which includes dogs being off leash...(part of Explorer Park) was identified during community consultation during the design phrase of the Explorer Park development,” the report stated.
“In addition to the standard requirements of use for the off leash areas it is proposed these three off leash areas be restricted to daylight hours only.
The proposed cost for advertising and signage between was estimated to be $1500 and would be funded from the budget for companion animals.
“It is not anticipated maintenance of these areas would increase,” council’s report stated.