Dogfight over beach plans

A LINE has been drawn in the sand between those who support the proposal to extend Hillarys dog beach and residents who want the beach to remain as it is.

The City of Joondalup is seeking public comment on a proposal to extend the existing dog beach at Hillarys, possibly as far south as the Hillarys Marina, as part of its Draft Beach Management Plan released earlier this month.

A 1700-signature petition for the dog beach to be extended was presented to Joondalup Council last year.

Hillarys resident John Banks said the beach was perfect for families with small children because it was one of the most sheltered in Perth.

“Since 2007 the number of registered dogs in Joondalup dropped by about 1000 and the human population increased by about 4000,” he said.

Mr Banks said the argument that Hillarys Beach was currently under-utilised was invalid, given that the car park in the area was full every weekend.

“Those opposed to any southern extension of the dog beach merely wish to continue visiting a pristine beach without having to contend with barking dogs running amok amongst towels and personal belongings,” he said.

Warwick resident Su Boyd, who co-ordinated the 2009 petition calling for the dog beach to be extended, said the dog beach was always very crowded.

“On weekends you can’t even throw a ball for your dog it’s so packed, while Hillarys Beach will be empty” she said.

“It’s always such a great atmosphere at the dog beach, with families and their dogs getting exercise.”

Joondalup Mayor Troy Pickard said the consultation period would give everyone an opportunity to have their say on how the coastline should be managed.

“This draft plan sets proposals and guidelines on how our beaches could be managed in an effective and sustainable manner so that everyone in the community can enjoy one of the City’s biggest assets,” he said.

“I encourage everyone to have their say on this important issue before the public comment period closes on April 6.”

The online survey can be accessed at Joondalup.wa.|gov.au.

Have your say – email us at joondaluptimes@communitynews.com.au.

What everyone else is thinking

Misi Genoff

21/11/2011

We moved specifically to our current house so that we could be near the Hilarys dog beach. We run on the beach during the week, but on the weekend there are too many dogs and horses utilizing the beach. it would be nice to see the beach expanded, to accommodate everyone comfortably.

jack moore

07/04/2010

Simply this:

Don't move dogs south because ern halliday is still there.

Don't stuff up the horse beach.

Ed

02/04/2010

As Mr Banks says the carpark at Hillarys beach is full!! It is full of people using the park not the beach!!! THE BEACH IS EMPTY. We find ourselves driving to Quinns Beach to excerise our dog as Hillarys Dog beach is so packed.

The dog beach at Hillarys epitomizes Australian values. People from all walks interacting, sharing, expressing toleratance and enjoying this beautiful country we are blessed to live in.

The truth is that Hillarys beach is completely under used and the dog beach is packed!!

Chloe

19/03/2010

I agree that the ANIMAL beach needs to be extended however I concure with Emma that this shoud most definately NOT be at the exclusion of horses. There is no reason this beach cannot remain an animal exercise beach (as opposed to a dog only beach) with more room for everyone (and yes that also includes kite surfers). I just hope the City of Joondalup recognises this before they remove the one and only 'horse' beach along the entire northern coastline of Perth...

Okay

12/03/2010

Extending our dog beach is long overdue. It will allow for a much more enjoyable experience for owners and dogs, providing space to throw a ball and appreciate our wonderful coastline. There are very few dog beaches along our Perth coastline, and this is a wonderful opportunity for all dog owners to extend an exercise area for our dogs.
There are plenty of "People" beaches for families without dogs to visit, many and varied choices for the rest of the population. Though, I do think the horses should have an area for exercise exclusively at certain times of the day.
Come on all you dog lovers, fill out the survey and lets see if we can make a positive change for our beloved four legged friends!

Emma

The extension of the dog beach IS well overdue - but NOT at the expense of the horse beach. Horses and horse owners like to enjoy the beach too and not all horse owners use it just for pleasure. Many people in the racing and pacing industries use it for therapeutic purposes and the Riding for the Disabled also use the beach - do you want to take away that enjoyment from a person or child whose life is limited in so many other ways?
Horse people travel from places like Bullsbrook to use this beach. Our next closest Horse beach is Kwinana.
Dog owners have the option of a beach at Quinns Rock & another one at Trigg.

mum

10/03/2010

i dont love your dog. i dont know your dog wont bite me or my children. i dont want your male dog urinating on my belongings. what about the horse owners? so many places are packed during popular times, we humans have to deal with it as well. i often cycle along the coastal path, you can smell the dog beach before you reach it and the small minority that do not lower themselves to picking up after their dog certainly dont help you case, neither do irresponsible owners who cannot contol their dog with voice commands off the lead.

Charles Page

09/03/2010

The closure of the horse beach is yet another example of how ruthless, heartless,cynical, overbearing and arrogant the City of Joondalup has become. Since Mayor Troy Pickard was elected, the City has enforced restrictive parking in the Joondalup CBD that has resulted in some businesses failing. It has despoiled our coastline by approving the overheight monstrosity at Sacred Heart College. It passed the world's most draconian cat law, that was thankfully blocked by State Parliament. Now it is closing the only horse beach in favour of more dogs. What's next? Minority groups need to be concerned. The City has shown it abuses its delegated powers. The beaches are for all Australians, not just City of Joondalup. State and Federal Governments should review the excessive powers of local government, and they should review the City of Joondalup's control of our beaches. Clearly, the City can no longer be trusted to govern in a fair and equitable manner.

andrew

Once again the dog owners expect everyone else to "love their dog" and "give us more room". It is time that they paid for the privilege and that licence fees truly reflect the cost of wandering dogs, dog attacks, barking dogs etc. Why non dog owners have to continue to subsidise dog owners is beyond me.

Diane

At long last the extension to the dog beach may succeed. This extension is well overdue. I'm not sure that the amount of registered dogs in the Shire of Joondalup has dropped (as noted in this article) as if you could see the amount of dogs on that beach it feels like every householder has a dog. We ask all dog lovers to please get behind this extension and to vote - maybe then we will have some extra space that is so much needed.

Julie Hollier

Hopefully the extension for the Hillarys Dog Beach will succeed this time. It is a fabulous beach for the family and to be able to take the family pet as well just makes it a great day out. This extension is well and truly overdue as with 22000 registered dogs in the Shire of Joondalup alone the beach is getting very overpopulated. The amount of people that travel great distances to give their much loved pet a swim and and a chance to socialise with other dogs is worth the trip. Congratulations to the Shire for this opportunity to express our opinions on this extension and they have my full support for this.