Community feedback was gathered from January to April 2025 to inform Bayside’s next Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) and possible changes to dog restrictions in Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary and all beaches within Bayside.
More than 2,000 community members participated in this consultation.
Engagement activities included:
- Dog restrictions on beaches survey (online, paper, and via vox-pops)
- Promoting the safety and welfare of pets, people, and environment survey (online and paper)
- Fetching Feedback workshops reviewed both the beach restrictions and elements of the DAMP (4 x 3 hour sessions with 20 community representatives).
Select a tab below to read a summary of feedback from each activity.
🐕Beach restrictions survey
We asked
Survey participants provided feedback based on the beach they visit, choosing from 13 "General Bayside" and 5 "Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary" beaches.
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Timeline item 1 - active
1,788 responded to online survey
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Timeline item 2 - active
91 participated in vox pop interviews
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Timeline item 3 - active
6 submitted paper surveys
What we heard
Most participants (93%) report they are aware or were previously aware of the dog restrictions at their nominated beach,
A higher proportion of the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary participants (13%) were not previously aware of the dog restrictions.
Overall, most participants (62%) report that dog restrictions are followed most of the time at their nominated beach.
Around 19% believe the rules are followed about half the time.
A higher proportion of the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary participants (27%) reported dog restrictions are rarely followed.
Participants suggested dog beach restrictions are not followed due to (participants could choose more than one response)
- Dog owners ignoring restrictions (42%)
- Lack of enforcement of rules (28.5%)
- Lack of awareness (28%)
- Confusion because restrictions are different on nearby beaches (27%)
Other ideas on lack of compliance included:
- Some restrictions or curfews seem unfair, excessive or unnecessary, particularly when there is limited use of the beach at some times of the day and in cool or poor weather conditions
- Need for improved signage: Need for more clear, large, consistent, prominent and visible signage generally and at beach entrances for dog owners and non-dog owners
- Dogs are not under effective control or have limited supervision and may poop when out of owner’s sight
- Inconsistent restrictions or restriction changes: Unclear or inconsistent restrictions, dogs banned between areas, area borders not being clearly marked, limited gates/fencing or containment
A small majority (55%) reported that the restrictions were balanced and fair for all, while
42% disagreed and
4% were unsure.
32% of participants reported No change is needed.
Others reported it would be fairer if there were:
- More off-leash beach areas in summer (41%)
- Longer beach access timings for dogs in summer (40%)
- More year-round dog off-leash beaches (35%)
Further suggestions included:
- Prefer to have some dog-free areas: No dogs on some beaches, more year-round no dog beaches, dog-free zones, ban dogs, prefer no dogs off-leash on beaches, no dogs on beaches in summer (40 comments)
- Better or more monitoring, enforcement, penalties and fines (33 comments)
- Clear and consistent rules: Consistent restrictions, clear marking of beach areas, delineation of areas, clear rules around dogs on path areas (24 comments)
- Encourage responsible pet ownership: Raising awareness of rules, more education, or training for dog owners, around shared use etiquette, collecting poo, and effective control (22 comments)
- Need for improved signage: More clear, consistent, prominent and visible signage generally and at beach entrances for dog owners and non-dog owners (20 comments)
- Allow dogs on beaches on-leash generally and in summer (19 comments)
490 participants responded to questions on Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary.
- 30% selected no change needed
- 27% requested dogs be prohibited near Ricketts Point
- 12% want restrictions removed completely
- 10% happy to keep Beaumaris Yacht Club beach off-leash but all other Ricketts Point beaches remain on-leash
- 9% want on-leash only near Ricketts Point
- 4% selected keeping Beaumaris Yacht Club off leash but prohibit dogs at all other Ricketts Point beaches.
🐶😻Updating the DAMP survey
We asked
To inform Bayside’s next 4-year Domestic Animal Management Plan (2025 – 2029) we sought community views, preferences and suggestions on promoting the safety and welfare of our pets, people, and environment within Council’s current resources.
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Timeline item 1 - active
1649 responded to online survey
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Timeline item 2 - active
3 submitted paper surveys
What we heard
Participants were asked to select all that they felt were very important from a list of services Council provides.
Off-leash areas at parks and beaches are seen as the highest priority to ensure responsible dog ownership. 69% of participants put this in their top 3 services that Council provides.
Signage to explain responsible pet requirements including beach restrictions was prioritised by 64% of participants.
Dedicated secure (fenced) dog parks ranked third with 61% selecting this.
Reuniting lost pets with owners and (stricter) enforcement of laws was also considered important by over 40% of participants.
Discounted pet registration for puppies as a low priority only selected by 19% of those surveyed.
Participants reported more frequently observing dog-owners:
- taking dogs off-leash where they shouldn’t be (38%)
- not watching dogs in off-leash areas (34%)
- not having effective voice control of dogs off-leash (33%)
Owners failing to pick up dog waste is still frequently seen by 31% and occasionally seen by 55% of participants.
Most survey participants (65%) do not experience any challenges with complying with local domestic animal regulations.
20% found the cost of registration a challenge, while keeping dogs on-leash was an issue for 7%.
Overall, participants provided a range of suggestions for things Council could do to improve the safety and welfare of pets, people and environment.
The two most common themes were:
- Increasing animal management monitoring, surveillance and enforcement (403 participants).
- Providing adequate dedicated dog off-leash spaces (353 participants).
Other ideas included:
- Increasing dog-related amenities such as dog waste bins, poo bag dispensers, dog friendly drinking fountains and dog wash stations.
- Reviewing, improving, upgrading and increasing instructional signage and path markings
- Raising awareness, education and incentives for respectful use of shared spaces.
🤔🧐😊Fetching Feedback sessions
We invited
Over 4 weeks the Fetching Feedback Group, made up of 20 community representatives with diverse views and experiences, met to hear and share information and ideas, and develop recommendations for Council to consider when making decisions and developing policy.
Four x 3-hour sessions were held on Thursday evenings in March and April 2025.
The two key questions raised in the broader community survey were the focus of the discussions.
It is noted that there was not universal support for all the recommendations given the diverse interests represented in the group.
We asked
What we heard
- Ensure signs are simple and information is easily accessible to all.
- Explain rationale for restrictions and ensure Council is transparent.
There was general consensus amongst the Fetching Feedback group on this recommendation (71% loved it; 21% liked it)
- Consider current restrictions between Beaumaris Yacht & Life Saving Clubs, and making on-lead at all times
- Consider a dog-free section if data supports
- All other restrictions to remain in place unchanged
The Fetching Feedback group were divided on this recommendation (60% loving, liking and prepared to accept it but 40% lamented, loathed or were confused).
- Keep signage simple
- Pictorial elements for CALD community
- Colour coding
All the Fetching Feedback group agreed with this recommendation to varying degrees (71% love, 21% like and 7% live this).
- Enforcement "blitz"
- Review the need for incentives and registration discounts
- Define "effective control"
All the Fetching Feedback group agreed with this recommendation to varying degrees (36% love, 21% like and 43% live with this).
- Focus on enforcement "blitz"
- Review the need for incentives
- "Effective control" of dogs is central to enjoying Bayside beaches
All the Fetching Feedback group agreed with this recommendation to varying degrees (35% love, 21% like and 43% live with this).
- Create 3 distinct areas:
- Off-leash
- On-leash / Shared
- Dogs prohibited
- Operate throughout the year (24/7)
Most of the Fetching Feedback group (77% love/like) were in favour of this zoning of beach and simple year-round settings, however some (23%) favoured less restrictions in off peak times and seasons.
We asked
What we heard
- All off-leash areas to be fenced and gated
- Separate areas for small and large dogs
- No dogs on sports ovals during training or competitions.
- Pick up after your dog
- Dogs on lead when club sport is on
- Include details of penalties
- Simple rules, not wordy
- 24/7 rules - not seasonal or time related.
- Council to partner with and promote accredited training providers
- (Compulsory) Induction sessions for new pet owners
- Reduced registration for certificate from accredited trainer
- More enforcement
- CCTV cameras, visible rules and penalties
- Focus on keeping dogs under reasonable control
- 42% prioritised ensuring safety, accessibility, positive off-leash areas
- 22% prioritised improving signage
- 25% prioritised supporting responsible pet ownership
- 9% prioritised encouraging obedience training
What happens next?
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Timeline item 1 - active
New proposal for beach restrictions considered by Council 20 May 2025
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Timeline item 2 - incomplete
Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025-2029 considered by Council 17 June 2025.
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Timeline item 3 - incomplete
Community engagement on the Draft DAMP will take place in July/August 2025.
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Timeline item 4 - incomplete
Additional review by Fetching Feedback Group in August 2025.
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Timeline item 5 - incomplete
Final DAMP 2025-2029 presented to Council for adoption in November 2025.
New proposal for beach restrictions
Council will consider a report on the Domestic Animal Management Plan – Beach Restriction Review at its 20 May meeting. Read the report in the meeting agenda.
Dog off-leash issues in public open space have been an ongoing contentious issue within the community due to long-standing and diverse community views and interests.
Providing open space for dogs to exercise off leash and encouraging responsible pet ownership is complex in Bayside due to finite open spaces, growing population density and competing interests and priorities for limited public open space.
Based on all engagement findings, objectives of the review and officer analysis it is recommend that these proposed new restrictions be adopted on the basis that they:
- maintain the current 365 day/24-hour off-leash access at Council’s three currently designated beaches to ensure dogs continue to have access to off leash beaches from the north to the south of the municipality year-round (shown in Green on this plan);
- maintain the current summer dog prohibitions at Hampton Beach to continue to provide beach access for those who don’t want to engage with dogs at any time during the warmer months where Surf Lifesaving facilities are available (shown in Red on this plan); and
- harmonise regulations for other beaches from Black Rock Beach to Middle Brighton Beach (shown in Yellow on this plan) so that:
- all beaches have the same seasonal restrictions that prohibit dogs on beaches between 10am–7pm from 1 November to 31 March each year instead of the current restrictions where some beaches have restrictions until 7:30pm; and
- dogs are allowed off-leash at all other times.
Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary
The restriction update proposes the following restrictions within the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary:
- dogs will continue to be prohibited at all times on the intertidal rock platforms within the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary to protect the sensitive environment.
- the current permanent off-leash area at the sand and rock foreshore area (shown in Green on the plan in Attachment 3) between the McGregor Avenue ramp and the disabled ramp at the southern end of the Beaumaris Yacht Club car park (B17) will remain.
- all other beaches in Ricketts Point and adjacent rock foreshore areas will follow the same restrictions as other beaches in Bayside, reducing the number of different zones and allowing for more signage and easier enforcement.
Interested community members can ask a question or request to be heard at Council meetings. Find out more.
Council is expected to consider a draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2025 – 2029, which is informed by community feedback already received, at is meeting on 17 June. Following this, we’ll be encouraging the Bayside community to provide feedback on the draft, to inform revisions, as required.
The new Domestic animal Management Plan is expected to be adopted by Council in November 2025.
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