Dogs will be prohibited from being taken into several conservation areas under a new Ipswich City Council local law.
Council recently overhauled a raft of local laws, with some significant changes and minor amendments. They come into force from 1 November.
One involves stopping dogs going into some of the city’s conservation estates and nature reserves to protect the wildlife in those areas.
In particular, popular nature recreation sites Flinders-Goolman and White Rock – Spring Mountain conservation estates, Purga Nature Reserve and Kholo Gardens will no longer be places people can take their dogs.
Infrastructure and Environment General Manager Charlie Dill said there were a number of reasons for the change to the local law.
“These areas are sanctuaries for the protection of native plants and animals,” he said.
“They are vitally important for the survival of many threatened species, including Ipswich’s faunal emblem the Brush-tailed Rock Wallaby.
Where you can take your dog on-leash and off-leash and where dogs are now banned
“We have seen large increases in the number of people visiting high-value conservation areas for recreation which includes a significant number of people taking their dogs into the estates.
“Even obedient dogs on a leash affect the behaviour of wildlife. The presence of dogs, their scent and barking raises the stress levels of native animals and can cause them to move away from the area.
“These conservation areas are also home to native animals – such as kangaroos, lace monitors and snakes – which could severely injure or kill a domestic dog if threatened.
“Roaming dogs do kill, injure and threaten native animals, and barking and scents left by dogs attract other predatory animals.
“Council’s important feral animal control program is also affected by the presence of domestic dogs in conservation areas.
“There are also instances of dog walkers coming into conflict with other estate users at camping and picnic grounds, on walking trails and causing particular issue with horse-riders and mountain bike riders.”
Mr Dill said there would be an education and awareness period to make residents and visitors aware of the change, with signage being installed and council officers on site at key conservation areas.
Fines will then be introduced after the two-month grace period, from 1 January 2020.
More information on the local law reviews and on the specific changes can be found here.
It feels like there is a gap here catering to taking a dog for longer walks or hikes (on leash of course). Dog parks are nice for socializing them if you can’t or don’t want to go very far. National parks have always had restricted access for dogs so I’m pretty sure some/most of those restrictions were already in place (maybe without the enforcement?). The only places I’ve found are private camp sites, which are often primarily 4WD sites. I guess they’ll have to do…
PS. the last link is broken. So here is the correct link: https://www.ipswich.qld.gov.au/business/laws-and-permits-for-businesses/local_laws/local-laws-under-review
Unless the council wants a huge fine, , they cannot stop state qualified (GHAD) from entering with their owner/ handlers.
I don’t know where to put this piece of mine,so I’ll just use this page,not that it will make any diferrence to council.
I am getting a bit tired reading Ipswich Council’s enviromental statements,month after month. Perhaps they should start by restricting builders and developers,taking over hundreds of acres of Ipswich council land for their own profits.
No point going on about poor Koalas,and other wildlife,when you , the council,are to blame for giving them permission,to bulldoze huge areas of land,for large housing estates,just for profit.
I should think,we perhaps might ban some humans,rather than dogs,they do more damage.
You can’t take a dog on a leash, but you can take a horse?? This is such classist policy. Take your best friend if you’re rich enough to own a horse, but not if you can only afford a dog. If you want to claim the policy is for environmental reasons that’s fine, but in that case horses must be banned as well. Obviously we poor dog owners don’t give enough in political donations to get a fair go. Which reminds me, how many months are we up to since an Ipswich councillor was arrested? Must be almost double figures by now.
I TOTALLY AGREE TOM — BUT IF YOU WAHT TO CONSERVE SPRING MT AREA THEN START NOW TO RESTORE IT TO THE STANDARD IT WAS 50 YEARS AGO — PART RAIN FOREST AND MORE WATER HOLES FOR DROUGHT PERIODS — REMEMBER IT WAS SELECTIVELY CLEARED FOR BURNIE TIMBER FOR OVER 60 YEARS —RESPONSIBLE OWNERS WALKING THEIR DOGS ON A LEAD ON A BUSH ROAD CAUSING ALL THIS DAMAGE TO FLORA AND FAUNA —- APRIL FOOLS JOKE !!!!!!
1111
Dogs on leashes cause damage but horses don’t? Nice to see Ipswich city council is still just as hypocritical as it’s always been.