It comes after revelations of Wagga’s increase in dog attacks over the past 12 months.

In the year just gone, there were 107 dog attacks in the city. During the same time period, penalties for aggressive dog were raised, with owners now liable for up to $1320.

Kooringal dog owner Anthony Fretwell is not convinced additional off-leash areas will have any great impact on either curbing or encouraging dog attacks.

“Most people who intentionally bring their dogs to these kinds of parks keep an eye on their dog,” he said.

“In most cases, I think dog attacks happen when the owner isn’t watching their dog.”

For Mr Fretwell, the onus lies with the owner and not the dog for their unsociable behaviour.

“It’s about knowing your dog and if you’ve had him since he was a pup, training him to be friendly around other dogs and people,” he said.

“These [off-leash] areas a pretty good for dogs to get more excersize and [engage] in games with other dogs. It’s socialising.”

Mr Fretwell’s dog – a seven-year-old German shepherd named Rex – was a former defence dog that failed the basic training, “for being to friendly”. 

“I got him before he went to the pound, sometimes he arks up at other dogs but you get a feel for it and I just take him away from that situation before something happens.”

Despite the significance of the Wiradjuri Reserve, in particular, the chosen site has not met with discouragement from Wagga’s Indigenous community either.

As long as the area remains fenced and well away from spiritually sensitive areas.

“I wouldn’t like to see the [off-leash] fence anywhere near the wetlands,” said Wiradjuri man Mark Saddler.

“The Wiradjuri people have lived with dogs – or mirri as they’re known in our language – for thousands of years. Trained dingoes – or yugay – have been a part of our lives for a long time.

“As long as people pick up after their dogs and keep them muzzled if they’re aggressive, I have no objections.”

Wiradjuri elder Aunty Gail echoes the sentiments, as long as all visitors – whether four-legged or two – are able to coexist in the space effectively.

“I have no objections, but there are a lot of kids around the reserve that I would not like to see get hurt,” she said.

“I’d hope they’d trial [off-the-leash areas] during summer months, when there’s lots of people around. If it works, there’s no issues.” 

Though met with encouragement so far, council has had a checked history of trying to create similar areas.

In 2009, a review of off-leash parks was met with negative community feedback, prompting council to abandon plans for more.

Already, there are six functioning off-the-leash areas in Wagga, including in Wilks Park, Forest Hill and Lake Albert.

The proposal for the two new areas can be viewed here.