We are aware of a media report about proposed changes to beach restrictions for dogs in Bayside.

The media report references a community petition about dog off-leash restrictions at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary and Banksia Reserve in Beaumaris.

Council is reviewing dog restrictions across all Bayside beaches, including those within the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary as part of its Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP).

Bayside Mayor, Cr Hanna El Mouallem said: “We understand that pets play an important role in our Bayside community, offering many health and social benefits.

"We have received extensive community feedback on the changes to beach restrictions for dogs and will take this into consideration when making a decision on future restrictions at our Council meeting in August.”

Proposed changes at Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary

Following extensive community consultation earlier this year, Council is proposing a balanced approach to dog restrictions within the Marine Sanctuary, creating two clear zones that:

Increase off-leash areas in the northern section (between Fourth Street and the Southern end of Beaumaris Yacht Club car park)

• There is no change proposed to the existing 24/7 off-leash zone.
  The current off-leash area between the McGregor Avenue ramp and the southern end of the Beaumaris Yacht Club car park will remain.
• Restrictions would be eased to the north of the existing 24/7 off-leash beach area between Fourth street and McGregor Avenue, so dogs can be off leash in summer between 7pm and 10am (instead of on-leash between 7.30pm and 10pm) and off leash at all times during winter (instead of on-leash), creating consistency with other Bayside beaches.

Enhance environmental protection in the southern section (between Beaumaris Life Saving Club and the Sea Scouts boat ramp)

• In summer, dogs would be prohibited at all times, removing the current on-leash access between 7:30pm and 10am.
• In winter, dogs would be permitted on-leash at all times, removing the current off-leash section between Beaumaris Life Saving Club and Dalgetty Road.
• Dogs will remain prohibited at all times on the intertidal rock platforms throughout the sanctuary to protect sensitive marine life.

Proposed changes would balance off-leash access within the marine sanctuary – protecting its unique environmental values while supporting dog owners with clear dog friendly zones and more consistent rules.

This will create only two areas along Bayside’s 17km coastline – Hampton Beach and the southern section of Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary – where dogs will be prohibited at all times during summer. This ensures that community members who prefer dog-free beaches have access to such spaces during the warmer months. Both of these areas are situated near 24/7 permanent off-leash dog beaches.

Below is a summary of the current and proposed restrictions:

Area within Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary	Current restrictions	Proposed revised restrictions	Impact of proposed change
Ricketts Point North Marine Sanctuary (Fourth St - McGregor Ave) Beaumaris	Summer (November to March) 10am to 7.30pm - Dogs prohibited 7.30pm to 10am - Dogs must be on leash. Winter (April to October) Dogs must be on leash at all times.	Summer (November to March) 10am to 7pm - Dogs prohibited 7pm to 10am - Dogs allowed off-leash. Winter (April to October) Dogs are permitted off leash on beach.	Summer (November to March) Dogs will be allowed to be off-leash between 7pm and 10am, instead of on-leash between 7.30pm and 10am. Winter (April to October) Dogs will be allowed off-leash in winter at all times, instead of on-leash.
Ricketts Point North Marine Sanctuary (McGregor Ave to the disabled ramp at the southern end of the Beaumaris Yacht Club car park	Dogs are permitted off leash and must always be under effective control.	Dogs are permitted off leash and must always be under effective control.	No change proposed
Ricketts Point South Marine Sanctuary from the disabled ramp at the southern end of the Beaumaris Yacht Club car park to Beaumaris LSC)	Summer (November to March) 10am to 7.30pm - Dogs prohibited 7.30pm to 10am - Dogs must be on leash. Winter (April to October) Dogs must be on leash at all times.	Summer (November to March) Dogs prohibited at all times. Winter (April to October) Dogs must be on leash at all times.	Summer (November to March) Loss of on-leash only access between 7.30pm and 10am in summer. Winter (April to October) No change
Ricketts Point South Marine Sanctuary (Life Saving Club to Dalgetty Road)	Summer (November to March) 10am to 7.30pm - Dogs prohibited 7.30pm to 10am - Dogs are permitted off leash. Winter (April to October) Dogs are permitted off leash and must always be under effective control.	Summer (November to March) Dogs prohibited at all times. Winter (April to October) Dogs must be on leash at all times.	Summer (November to March) Loss of on-leash only access between 7.30pm and 10am. Winter (April to October) Change from off- to on-leash access.
Ricketts Point South Marine Sanctuary (Dalgetty Rd - Sea Scouts boat ramp)	Summer (November to March) 10am to 7.30pm - Dogs prohibited 7.30pm to 10am - Dogs must be on leash. Winter (April to October) Dogs must be on leash at all times.	Summer (November to March) Dogs prohibited at all times. Winter (April to October) Dogs must be on leash at all times.	Summer (November to March) Loss of on-leash only access between 7.30pm and 10am in summer. Winter (April to October) No change
Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary (all areas)	Dogs are prohibited on all inter-tidal rock platforms within the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary at all times.	Dogs are prohibited on all inter-tidal rock platforms within the Ricketts Point Marine Sanctuary at all times.	No change proposed

Banksia Reserve

The petition also contains incorrect information around dog restrictions at Banksia Reserve in Beaumaris.

Banksia Reserve sportsground is open and accessible for community sport and off-leash dog walking.

Banksia Reserve sportsground is highly-used by local sports clubs and pet owners. The sportsground is currently open, however, it is scheduled to close temporarily from October 2025 for approximately 12 months for a full ground reconstruction. This upgrade will improve the quality and safety of the playing surface for all users and will include an irrigation system upgrade.

To support local dog owners during this period, Council has established a small, fully fenced off-leash dog park adjacent to the main oval. This secure area provides a safe and convenient space for dogs to exercise while the main ground is closed for construction. A similar initiative was also successfully introduced at William Street Reserve during its 2023-2024 reconstruction, proving popular with local dog walkers.

When the reconstruction is complete, dogs will be welcome back on the main oval outside of organised sporting activities, with the same access as dog walkers currently enjoy. Council will also assess community feedback on the temporary dog park to determine whether it should remain as a permanent feature.

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