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Dog Off Leash Parks

A dog may be exercised off a leash in a Designated Off Leash Area. In all other areas Dogs can be exercised on leash only.

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Doggie Doo – Do the right thing

Council require dog owners to remove and dispose of their dog’s poo when in public places. Council also requires dog owners to carry an appropriate receptacle (I.e. bag) to remove dog poo whenever they are walking their dog in a public place.

You can be fined $100 for not complying under Councils Community Local Law 15.

Do you have a request for an area to be considered for off leash?

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Dogs can be exercised off lead in the following local reserves and parks, remember they must remain under “effective control” and continually supervised.

Dogs can be off leash in the following areas:

Charles Edward Brown Reserve (North West corner opposite Netball Centre) at 238 Dowling Street, Wendouree;
Pioneer Park at 5 McKenzie Drive, Wendouree;
Cuthberts Road Reserve at 164A Cuthberts Road, Alfredton;
Victoria Park at Russell Street, Newington;
Gregory St Reserve at 514 & 520 Gregory Street, Soldiers Hill;
Chisholm Reserve at CA 13A Chisholm Street, Black Hill;
Birdwood Park at CA 72A Midland Highway, Buninyong;
M R Power Reserve at 182-198 Grant Street, Sebastopol; and
Canadian Lakes Reserve at 815 Geelong Road, Canadian (off Canadian Lakes Boulevard).

In all other areas Dogs can be exercised on leash only.

Keeping Effective ControlTop of document.

A dog may be exercised off a chain, cord or leash in a Designated Off Leash Area if the person in apparent control of the dog:

Carries a chain, cord or leash sufficient to bring the dog under effective control

Remains in effective voice or hand control of the dog and within constant sight of the dog at all times; and

Does not allow the dog to worry, cause a nuisance or threaten any person or animal.

Rules

If a dog is off a chain, cord or a leash in a Designated Off-Leash Area it must be brought under effective control by means of a chain, cord or leash if the dog is within 50m of :

The arena or ground of an organised sporting or practice event;

A children’s play equipment area;

The principal location of an organised public meeting or event; and

A permanent barbecue or picnic area, or

10m of any shared path or walking track.

Domestic Animals Act 1994Top of document.

NOTICE UNDER DOMESTIC ANIMALS ACT 1994

Designated Off Leash Area

On 26 November 2014, the City Of Ballarat (Council) made an Order under section 26(2) of the Domestic Animals Act 1994(Act).This Order is effective from 10 April 2015.

Revocation of previous orders
All previous Orders made by Council under section 26(2) of the Act are revoked
Dogs must be on leash

The person in apparent control of a dog must keep the dog attached to a chain, cord or leash held by or attached to the person when the dog is in any Public Place in Council’s municipal district (other than those in private ownership) unless the dog is in a Designated Off Leash Area.

The following areas are Designated Off Leash Areas:

Charles Edward Brown Reserve (North West corner opposite Netball Centre) at 238 Dowling Street, Wendouree;
Pioneer Park at 5 McKenzie Drive, Wendouree;
Cuthberts Road Reserve at 164A Cuthberts Road, Alfredton;
Victoria Park at Russell Street, Newington;
Gregory St Reserve at 514 & 520 Gregory Street, Soldiers Hill;
Chisholm Reserve at CA 13A Chisholm Street, Black Hill;
Birdwood Park at CA 72A Midland Highway, Buninyong;
M R Power Reserve at 182-198 Grant Street, Sebastopol; and
Canadian Lakes Reserve at 815 Geelong Road, Canadian (off Canadian Lakes Boulevard).

For the purposes of this Order:
‘Designated Off Leash Area’, means any place or part of an area declared by a resolution of Council included in this Order.

‘Public Place’has the same meaning as in section 3 of the Summary Offences Act 1966.

3. Dogs in Designated Off Leash Area:

3.1 Subject to clause 3.2 and 3.3 of this Order, a dog may be exercised off a chain, cord or leash in a Designated Off Leash Area if the person in apparent control of the dog:

a) carries a chain, cord or leash sufficient to bring the dog under effective control;

b) remains in effective voice or hand control of the dog and within constant sight of the dog at all times; and

c) does not allow the dog to worry, cause a nuisance or threaten any person or animal.

3.2 If a dog is off a chain, cord or a leash in a Designated Off Leash Area it must be brought under effective control by means of a chain, cord or leash if the dog is within 50m of:

a) the arena or ground of an organised sporting or practice event;

b) a children’s play equipment area;

c) the principal location of an organised public meeting or event; or

d) a permanent barbecue or picnic area.

3.3 If a dog is off a chain, cord or a leash in a Designated Off Leash Area it must be brought under effective control by means of a chain, cord or leash if the dog is within 10m of any shared path, walking track or waterway.

The Order will come into operation from 10 April 2015.