Support for the Lights on for Dogs program

Between 30 May – 19 August 2022 and 5 June – 2 September 2023, we heard from 165 dog owners, dog-owner community groups, resident sports clubs, neighbouring residents as well as the general Bayside community via an online survey and Q&A; email, phone, and mail correspondence; and conversations with Local Laws Officer on patrol at sportsgrounds.

Participants strongly supported the continuation of the Lights on for Dogs program:

• 2023: 70% participants – 49 out of 70
• 2022: 85% participants – 81 out of 95

Female participants frequently provided positive feedback and talk about lighting regarding safety. Many participants commented on the importance of the facility itself and how the options were dog friendly. “Large, well-lit and enclosed reserves” was the most common positive feedback

Sports clubs using the grounds expressed a range of concerns and challenges with the program, including the impact on the condition of sports grounds, the increased utility costs (which are the responsibility of the sporting clubs) and the lack of automation, requiring someone to manually turn the lights on and off.

Council will consider the continuation of the program at its meeting on 21 November 2023.