After an effective pilot trial, Tweed Shire Council is extending its Take the Lead program which intends to lower the variety of dogs off-leash in high preservation worth locations and other public locations in the Tweed.
The program, very first introduced in October in 2015, needs to date concentrated on high preservation worth locations at:
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Casuarina/Kingscliff
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Fingal Head
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Hastings Point
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Pottsville, and
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Wooyung Beach.
As part of the program, Council has actually increased its enforcement patrols in collaboration with Tweed Byron Cops, with 122 fines provided in 2015 as part of the program.
Council’s Task Officer for Wildlife security Emily Clarke said the program was important to continuous efforts to safeguard threatened wildlife in the Tweed, in addition to other animals and even individuals.
“No-one expects their dog to attack wildlife or another dog, but as a recent attack on an endangered Bush Stone-curlew in Tweed Heads and an increase in dog attacks on people and pets demonstrates, unexpected attacks can be very traumatic,” Ms Clarke said.
“Keeping your dog on a leash is the very best method to avoid an attack.
“We are happy our patrols, integrated with brand-new beach signs and a social networks project, have actually led to an approximated 37% boost in individuals doing the ideal thing and exercising their dogs on-leash in essential designated on-leash beach places.
“This is great news for our local wildlife, it also makes our beaches a safer and more enjoyable place for people and other pets to visit.”
Ms Clarke said the program had actually been typically well gotten by the neighborhood, with numerous revealing their assistance through social networks and straight to Council staff.
To keep this preliminary success going, Council Rangers will continue to run targeted patrols throughout the Tweed in 2023, in collaboration with Tweed Byron Cops.
“It’s a $330 fine for walking a dog off-leash unless it’s in a designated off-leash area, so don’t risk being fined,” Ms Clarke said.
“We are asking locals and visitors to take the lead when on our beaches. If you like exercising your pooch off-leash, please visit one of our designated off-leash areas.”
An useful map is released on Council’s website to help locals find the designated off-leash locations quickly. See tweed.nsw.gov.au/dogs/where-can-I-walk-my-dog.
This job has actually been helped with financing from the NSW Federal Government through its Environmental Trust.
