Blue Mountains City Council has introduced 8 trial dog off-leash sites over the past year due to a changing of social expectation in companion animal management. There are currently 6 established off-leash dog sites within the Blue Mountains Local Government Area, however the need for additional off-leash areas across the Blue Mountains has been the subject of increasing correspondence. The demand for dog friendly open spaces at better locations has increased steadily since the Companion Animals Act was introduced in 1998. These sites will be evaluated in May 2009 and reviewed by Council for permanency.
On the Council meeting of 19 February 2008, Council voted unanimously to declare an additional 7 dog off-leash areas across the Local Government area, with the possible addition of an 8th area. It was also resolved that a report would be brought to Council detailing the outcomes of a 12 month trial period and provide recommendations for the future of each area.
Dog off-leash areas are subject to time and day restrictions and dogs must at all times be under their owners effective control in public. It is also the responsibility of dog owners to pick up their dogs faeces when in public spaces
Council is seeking community feedback on these dog off-leash trial sites which will be used in determining the future of dog off-leash areas in the Blue Mountains. Your input is valuable and you are encouraged to use forum space below. Alternatively you may fill out the attached survey form which can be submitted either by post: BMCC, Locked Bag 1005, Katoomba NSW 2780 or email: council@bmcc.nsw.gov.au. Correspondence should be marked ‘Dog Off-Leash Trial’.