Shire of Denmark responds to dog owners petition by voting in a biennial review of dog policy

The Shire of Denmark has amended its dog policy to include a biennial review after dog owners lodged a petition calling for an expanded off-leash dog exercise zone in the Prawn Rock Channel. Residents raised concerns during public question time at Tuesday’s meeting over the current dog exercise area at the popular swimming and fishing spot. Karen Winer presented a petition with 412 signatures from fellow dog owners at the November 17 meeting calling on the shire to revisit the old off-leash dog exercise area. The old dog exercise area was outlined after the November 2014 council meeting, which kept more of the Prawn Rock Channel area as an off-leash dog area. In May 2021 the shire voted to prohibit dogs from an area stretching along the beach at Prawn Rock Channel and Ocean Beach. Ms Winer again voiced her frustration at public question time on Tuesday, saying the community was not given enough time to review and respond to the shire’s previous decision. An officer’s report in response to the petition, which was considered at the March 15 council meeting, said Denmark’s increasing population was bringing a “higher risk of conflict between users of all public areas”. “All users of public spaces will have to compromise to ensure social sustainability and best meet the whole community’s needs,” the report said. “The current dog policy and Ocean to Channel concept plan aim to present a balanced outcome where all stakeholders are accommodated.” Councilors unanimously voted to amend the dog areas policy to include a biennial review. The first review meeting will be before July 2023, alongside further community consultation.