NPWS and Central Coast Council take action on illegal dog walking
The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Central Coast Council have installed new signs at Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve and around Wamberal Surf Club to remind dog owners the areas that are off limits.
It is illegal to bring dogs into Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve, including the lagoon and the beach north of Wamberal Surf Club, as well as Council's ‘Dogs Prohibited’ area running south of Wamberal Surf Club to Surfers Lane.
Pet owners face on-the-spot fines of between $300 and $3,300 if their dogs are found in restricted areas.
Reports of illegal activity have increased significantly, such as walking in the nature reserve, uncontrolled dogs, and owners not picking up after their pets.
New signs installed at Remembrance Drive and around Wamberal Surf Club clearly show where dogs are permitted, including Council’s off-lead dog exercise area south of Surfers Lane, Wamberal.
Following the new signs, Rangers have had several disappointing interactions with dog walkers. It is illegal to bring a dog into a national park or nature reserve in NSW as they can harm native animals and disrupt park visitors' enjoyment (unless the dog is a certified assistance animal). Additionally, dogs marking bushland or grasses can deter native animals from their habitat.
Wamberal Lagoon is one of the last remaining coastal lagoons in NSW that has not been heavily impacted by urban development. The nature reserve also protects habitat for at least seven species of migratory birds, including the Pacific Golden Plover and the Bar Tailed Godwit.
NPWS and Council Rangers will be undertaking compliance patrols and pet owners face on-the-spot fines of $300, with a maximum fine of up to $3300, if domestic dogs are detected in a prohibited area.
For more information on areas where dog walking is permitted, please visit online.
Quotes attributable to Central Coast Council's Environment and Planning A/Director Shannon Turkington:
'The Central Coast currently has the second highest number of registered dogs in New South Wales and, as a result, Council receives a correspondingly high number of dog enquiries and complaints.
'Council is addressing responsible dog ownership through a range of low-cost proactive and reactive measures including upgrading or replacing missing, vandalised or broken signage across the Local Government Area, adopting a Responsible Dog Ownership Policy, drafting of the proposed Dogs in Open Space Action Plan and ongoing community education initiatives.
'In April, Council undertook an educational responsible dog ownership pop-up stall at Terrigal, which was also attended by Rangers. The pop-up stall was designed to provide residents with information on where it is appropriate to walk your animals in Terrigal and Wamberal.
'Council’s team of 12 Rangers patrol popular areas such as our beaches and reserves as often as possible and respond to dog-related complaints on an almost daily basis.'
Quotes attributable to NPWS Area Manager, Steve Atkins:
'While it is great to see so many people using the nature reserve to exercise, bringing dogs into the nation park and north along Wamberal Beach towards Spoon Bay is illegal and having a negative impact on other park users, native wildlife and nutrient levels within the lagoon.
'Recently, our rangers have had a number of disappointing interactions people bringing their dog into the nature reserve.
'While dog owners can face fines of $300, we are ultimately appealing to people to be responsible owners and respectful park users.
'Please utilise Council's dedicated dog exercise areas and help us to protect Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve.'