By JONATHON HOWARD
THIS Saturday’s Yandina Markets will be dog and animal free, after a complaint over some doggie doo revealed licensing discrepencies.
After more than two decades, Sunshine Coast Council made the monumental decision to ban furry friends from the markets.
But pet owners have breathed a sigh of relief in visiting the Eumundi Markets which remains “pet friendly”.
The Yandina issue started with a complaint over dog poo littering the Yandina Soccer Club.
The poo complaints were believed to have prompted the Sunshine Coast Council (SCC) to investigate the Yandina Markets, which revealed the market was in breach of its licensing to allow animals in and around the retail spaces.
While the licensing oversight was scheduled for a review – and could be ratified in the coming weeks – Sunshine Coast Council has asked for a “total animal ban” at the Yandina Markets until further notice.
The move has outraged many pet owners and prompted heated debate in the pages of news publications and via online sources.
Yandina Market management refused to comment on the matter and directed all inquiries to Sunshine Coast Council.
Sunshine Coast Council was in the process of reviewing the Yandina Markets licence and was expected to make further announcements in the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, Noosa Council has been praised for its approach to animals in markets, by handing the decision-making on the issue to market operators.
Noosa Council’s disaster management and public order team leader, Phil Amson, said it was important to recognise the benefits of pets in markets.
“In general, Noosa Council recognises the benefits that exercising a pet can bring,” Mr Amson said.
“However it is also recognised that not everybody has the same tolerance for pets in public places.
“Therefore it is expected that pet owners will be responsible and abide by the laws (on lead, well controlled, with doggie bags) so that all people may enjoy the wonders that the Noosa area provides.”
