Dog owners will need to double check which Sunshine Coast beaches they can use, with Sunshine Coast Council approving an amended subordinate local law which changes the way the community moves about with their animals at Point Cartwright.
Under the new subordinate local law amendments, dogs will be allowed on-leash at Half Moon Bay, open-spaced areas of Point Cartwright Reserve, Buddina Beach and La Balsa Park.
To balance the needs of the community, environmental protection considerations and being respectful of cultural heritage, Council endorsed the decision to incorporate a second, temporary, dog off-leash area on part of the northern beach commonly known as ‘Carties Beach’, between 4pm and 8am on Monday to Friday.
Dogs will be permitted on-leash in this area of Carties Beach at other times on Monday to Friday – but dogs will be prohibited from this area at all times on weekends.
This arrangement is temporary and will be in effect until 30 June 2025.
The amendment is in response to community feedback and allows Council time to prepare and consult with the community on a broader Sunshine Coast wide Dog Exercise Areas Plan.
Due to the high number of people visiting the area, dogs will be prohibited from sections near the rocky foreshore, the dunes along Buddina Beach, sections of Point Cartwright Reserve, and ‘Carties Beach’ on weekends.
These recommendations support Council’s endorsement of the Point Cartwright Reserve and La Balsa Park Master Plan in August, which establishes new animal management requirements at Point Cartwright Reserve.
Sunshine Coast Council Division 4 Councillor Joe Natoli said community engagement had formed a key part of Council’s local law-making process.
“We really appreciate and thank everyone in our community who took the time to provide further feedback on the animal management changes at Point Cartwright,” Cr Natoli said.
“Community engagement took place between September 25 and October 30, 2023, and we received 1718 submissions – this is the greatest number of submissions received by Council for a local law-making consultation process since the Council was established on 15 March 2008.
“After taking into consideration all relevant information to inform the local law-making process – including the Master Plan objectives; the feedback from the community; consideration of Council’s different policies; and undertaking a Human Rights assessment) – a revised amendment was supported to allow a section of ‘Carties Beach’ to remain a timed dog off-leash area temporarily.
“This arrangement seeks to strike a balance between reasonable community expectations, environmental preservation and long-term sustainability.”
The Subordinate Local Law Amendment will begin on gazettal, which is expected to occur on Friday 22 December, 2023.
New signage will be installed to inform the community of the changes and Council officers will undertake an education program to support the community in understanding the new changes.
To view the master plan visit Council’s Point Cartwright and La Balsa Park Master Plan.
