Community feedback on the dog off-leash area at Stumers Creek, Coolum Beach, led Sunshine Coast Council to retain the site’s character with only minor changes to occur as part of the new Sunshine Coast Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan revealed this week.
When changes in the plan come into place in 2026 visitors to Stumers Creek arriving by car or walking their pets past the carpark must keep dogs on-leash until they are at least 10 metres beachside of the carpark, the measure aimed at improving safety for pedestrians and motorists.
The existing off-leash zone, which extends approximately three kilometres north and south of the creek, will remain unchanged.
Sunshine Coast Council’s Environment and Liveability Portfolio Maria Suarez said Council was appreciative of the valuable community feedback that played a major role in developing the final plan, adopted at Council’s December 11 Ordinary Meeting.
”The plan is designed to balance protection of our sensitive coastal environments with maintaining generous access for exercising dogs in outdoor spaces, in a region with 54,000 registered dogs,” she said.
“It will deliver a more harmonious approach to how dog owners and non-dog owners can share our parks, beaches and environment reserves, and includes a vision for 22 new dog parks over the next 20 years.
Cr Suarez said the plan incorporated extensive input from local dog owners and non-dog owners, community groups, independent experts and Traditional Owners.
“There is no doubt we love our pets and outdoor spaces and projections are we will have 80,000 registered dogs by 2046, so planning is very important.”
Changes at other parks are as follows:
Currimundi Beach
At popular Currimundi Beach, to improve harmony and safety near the busy carpark, shops, picnic areas, and swimming zone, dogs will no longer be permitted to cross the mouth of Currimundi Lake between Beach Access 253 and 254. There is no change to the existing off-leash area north of the lake (beach access 253). South of the lake, the current 1.25 kilometre off-leash area will continue, stretching to just north of Ann Street (approximately 50 metres north of Beach Access 262). A slight adjustment introduces an additional 50 metre buffer adjoining the Dicky Beach Bathing Reserve to protect the patrolled swimming area.
Rocky headlands
A restricted dog area at Point Perry, Point Arkwright, Point Cartwright, Moffat Headland and Caloundra Headland, has been established.
These zones are an important breeding, foraging and nursery ground for marine plants, fish, reptiles, birds and other wildlife and keeping dogs away reduces stress on these fragile habitats and helps protect them.
North shore
At Maroochy North Shore, a seasonal closure of 500m of beach on the southern spit area will be implemented from October to April, to safeguard threatened migratory shorebird high-value roosting areas. A new off-leash area of 670m will be provided at Mudjimba South to offset the seasonal closure at North Shore.
Environment reserves
In many environment reserves, dogs will still be welcome on-leash. Dogs will no longer be allowed in some reserves with very high conservation values. This is to protect our sensitive plants and wildlife from disease and habitat loss.
Sports fields
On sports fields, dogs will need to be kept off active playing surfaces but can still use common areas while on a leash. A permit process will continue for organised dog events.
To see how the plan affects local parks, beaches, and reserves, use the mapping tool on council’s website to view exactly where dog exercise areas are changing across the Sunshine Coast.
Council will begin delivering the action plan in stages, subject to funding and annual budget processes.
Before any changes to dog access can go ahead, the local laws need to be updated with this planned to happen in 2026.
