Community engagement overview
Our approach over Phases 1 and 2 of this community engagement
Our new plan for pets
Bayside’s Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029 (DAMP) was adopted by Council in November 2025 and sets out our activities, services and programs to support and encourage responsible dog and cat ownership over the next four years.
A major objective of the DAMP is to increase responsible pet ownership behaviour and compliance with the law through education, communication, incentives and effective enforcement. Based on feedback we received during community consultations, activities will include:
Read the Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029
The DAMP journey
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Timeline item 1 - complete
Phase 1: Community engagement
16 January - 23 February 2025
Views and ideas for new DAMP actions and beach restrictions gathered via surveys and Fetching Feedback group.
Read the Phase 1 engagement summary report.
See the Phase 1 consultation content.
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Timeline item 2 - complete
Fetching Feedback group sessions
March - April 2025
4 x 3-hour sessions to learn more about beach restrictions and the DAMP and provide recommendations for Council.
Read the engagement summary report.
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Timeline item 3 - complete
Set actions for draft DAMP 2026-29 and adoption of beach restrictions
April to July 2025
Analyse community feedback and set objectives.
Council considered beach restrictions in May and deferred decision to August meeting.
Council endorsed a draft DAMP 2026-29 at its July meeting for community consultation.
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Timeline item 4 - complete
Council considered beach restrictions
19 August Council meeting
Council decided to make no changes to Bayside’s current rules for dogs on beaches.
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Timeline item 5 - complete
Phase 2: Community engagement on draft DAMP
20 August - 22 September 2025
Test the draft DAMP community wide via survey and pop-up events and review with the Fetching Feedback group.
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Timeline item 6 - complete
A new DAMP for Bayside
November 2025 Council Meeting
Council adopted the new Domestic Animal Management Plan in November 2025.
How we engaged on pets and public spaces
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Phase 1 consultation
See what happened during Phase 1 of community engagement on the Domestic Animal Management Plan and review of beaches restrictions for dogs
Phase 2 consultation
How we sought community feedback on the draft Domestic Animal Management Plan
What you told us
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Phase 1
What you told us during Phase 1Phase 1: Conducted January - April 2025 focussed on understanding attitudes and experiences in relation to beach restrictions and gathering ideas about pet ownership in Bayside to feed into development of the draft DAMP. Insights were gathered via
- an online and paper survey,
- face to face vox pops
- 4 x 3 hour Fetching Feedback workshops with 20 community representatives.
More than 2,000 community members participated in Phase 1 consultation.
Phase 2
What you told us during Phase 2Phase 2: Conducted August - September 2025 focused on seeking feedback on aspects of the DAMP that were identified in Stage 1 as areas of further consideration. Insights were gathered via
- an online and paper survey
- 4 x pop up events
- 1 x Fetching Feedback workshop
There were over 1,190 participants in Phase 2 consultation
Join to have your say
Contact us
Bayside City Council, 76 Royal Avenue
PO Box 27, Sandringham VIC 3191
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