A draft PoM for Governor Phillip Park, another public whole of community (and whole of world) public space, which also includes a proposal for a dog off-leash area trial at Palm Beach (north) and has again been drafted primarily for the same reason, is also being developed by the Northern Beaches Council and this draft POM is expected to be prepared by mid-2025.
The Northern Beaches Council has stated it will then seek the Department’s and then the Northern Beaches Council Councillors approval to also publicly exhibit this draft PoM.
Dogs are currently prohibited at the southern end of Mona Vale Beach and on the beach at Palm Beach, however, dogs are seen on both beaches, and every other beach across the LGA, all day every day.
The Northern Beaches Council has stated this restriction will remain in place unless the Northern Beaches Council adopts the draft PoM, amends the existing prohibition, and designates a part of the beach as an area for dogs to be off-leash under section 13(6) of the Companion Animals Act 1998.
Following public exhibition of the draft PoM, feedback will be reviewed, and the outcome of the public exhibition and any final draft POM will be reported to a Council meeting for Northern Beaches Council Councillors to approve.
The land is a combination of escarpment and restored coastal vegetation leading down to partially vegetated foredune and beach and ocean.
The land and beach is used by families with toddlers and young children, for surfing, swimming, and less strenuous activities such as just sitting and enjoying the view.
The area provides feeding and nesting habitat for aquatic and land-based birds and animals, environmental conservation and dune stabilisation within the dune areas.
Those who enjoy strolling, running, passive and active beach and ocean activities and who contribute as volunteer bush revegetation and regeneration workers are the current every day and regular users of South Mona Vale Beach.
The Northern Beaches Council said in a release it is yet to make a decision about proceeding with dog off-leash area trials at both locations as various processes must be completed before the Northern Beaches Council is in a position to do so.
However, as both this and the PoM being drafted for Governor Phillip Park, and the REF that preceded these, were drafted specifically to permit dogs offleash in both these public spaces and wildlife habitat, and the Northern Beaches Council is again topping the state for dog attack statistics that resulted in the deaths of wildlife and hospitalisation of residents and visitors, and residents have reported to the news service again this week being attacked while using the ocean rock pools, beaches and public paths across the Local Government Area, the only fly in that ointment may turn out to be Mr. or Mrs. 'I'll Sue this ******** Council'.
Is this an area where those who have big dogs that need a kilometre or two to run fast in, more space than their backyards provide and as long as the whole of Mona Vale beach, where other users won't mind sitting and swimming in dog urine and faeces?
Having your children run over, mauled and scarred for life or being told 'get out of here if you don't like it, this is a dog beach' looks set to be on its way, and has already been happening, at south Mona Vale beach.
Dog parks that include water features and large areas for furry darlings to romp are a success in Western Sydney areas, and have proved a lot less expensive than all the processes followed here has now accrued, in more than just financial costs, to our community.
''In the meantime, please only exercise your dog at approved locations across the area otherwise you may be subject to a $330 fine for contravening the dog off-leash rule or for being the owner of dog in prohibited public space.'' the Northern Beaches Council release states in closing
The 'you may be fined' under the Northern Beaches Council contrasts in messaging to the 'You Will Definitely Be Fined and/or Prosecuted' that occurs in other LGAs. But as a high amount of community reports on how the Northern Beaches Council is trying to rein in what has become a serious problem across the LGA come in every week, the 'may' has become 'will' again here too. Following advice by others to 'do what you want where you want and when you want' is leading to an insurmountable financial burden and absolute heartbreak for some.
It's heart-breaking hearing their stories of what happens when you ignore the law, NBC signage and rules, and follow that advice. And heart-breaking hearing of the trauma undergone and pain experienced by those who end up in hospital because someone has followed that advice.
Feedback closes on Sunday February 9 2025. The PoM document is available here (PDF: 4.06MB) The Northern Beaches Council webpage to provide feedback is at: yoursay.northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au/mona-vale-beach-south-plan-management
For those who wish to address more than the stated main reason for this new PoM; the habitat, other potential uses and other items drafted into the PoM, and use the emailing or writing option and format, rather than the 'yay' or 'nay' 1 minute survey on the NBC webpage, those addresses are:
Email: council@northernbeaches.nsw.gov.au
In writing: marked 'Mona Vale Beach (southern end) Plan of Management', Northern Beaches Council, PO Box 82, Manly NSW 1655.
The Northern Beaches Council also states it is providing:
Come and chat Pop-up event
Sunday 19 January 2025 12:00 pm to 02:00 pm, at Village Park, Mona Vale
Come and chat with the Project Team at our stall at the Australian Made Markets
Book a call
Click the button (here) to book a call to chat with the project team. If none of the times available suit you, call 1300 434 434 to arrange another time.
Mon 13 Jan, 2 - 5pm
Wed 15 Jan, 8.30 - 11.30am
Wed 5 Feb, 11.30 - 2.30pm
Thur 6 Feb, 8.30 - 11.30am.
The whole of the 2023-2024 dog attack statistics for the Northern Beaches Council LGA were released in November 2024, and are available in:
Australia Post urges councils to take strong action as dog attacks on Posties continue: Northern Beaches Council Dog Attack Numbers for 2023/24 Higher than LGAs with more than twice the number of registered dogs
North Palm Beach; dogs are taken into this area despite clear signage this is a no dogs area
Dogs on South Mona Vale Beach, Saturday December 15:image supplied
Dogs on Turimetta Beach, December 2024: Image supplied
Dogs on Narrabeen beach, December 2024: Image supplied
Dog attacking formerly resting seal at Long Reef Aquatic Reserve (a WPA). Photos supplied