Off-leash areas proposed in report

A consultant's report has proposed that a reserve off Long Arm Pde, St Hubert's Island, and the Sorrento Rd reserve in Empire Bay could be used as dog off-leash exercise areas.

Gosford Council's environmental assessment of dog off-leash exercise areas within the local government area will be on public exhibition until August 9.

At a council meeting last October an urgency motion was presented to council to consider the potential impact of council's dog exercise areas and off leash areas to the bush stone-curlew, a threatened species under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995.

Council resolved to immediately suspend the designated dog exercise areas and off-leash areas in Saratoga, Davistown, Kincumber, St Hubert's Island and Empire Bay until a review could be undertaken to assess the possible impact on the habitat of the bush stone-curlew and any other environmental impacts.

The environmental assessment report for Empire Bay was carried out on behalf of council on April 6, while the report for St Hubert's Island was undertaken on June 4, by development consultants Whelans Insites.

The St Hubert's Island review found that the southern foreshore reserve off Long Arm Pde "could be used" for dog off-leash activities while the Beachfront Pde foreshore area was deemed inappropriate by assessors.

"By virtue of the presence of native vegetation in high condition (and the likely importance of that vegetation to the survival of the bush stone-curlew), the Review of Environmental Factors has concluded that a significant effect would be incurred were the proposed activity of dog off-leash exercise to be approved in the Northern Foreshore Reserve," the report stated.

"On that basis, and on an assumption that not all dogs or dog owners would behave appropriately, the review concludes that use of the subject site (ie that part of the Reserve previously use for dog off-leash activities) in the Northern Foreshore Reserve, for that purpose, is not appropriate.

"However, given the nature and condition of the subject site within the Southern Foreshore Reserve, and the lack of significance of this area for threatened biota in general (and for the bush stone-curlew in particular), the review has concluded that no significant effect would be imposed upon threatened biota and/or migratory species from use of that part of the reserve as a dog off-leash exercise area.

"In particular, no significant adverse impact upon the bush stone-curlew would be anticipated."

The Sorrento Rd Reserve in Empire Bay was also considered of low conservation value and could be used as either an on-leash or off-leash dog exercising area.

"The Sorrento Road Reserve is generally in relative poor condition from an ecological perspective, having been substantially cleared, extensively maintained and used over a considerable period for both active and passive recreational purposes by local residents and visitors," the report stated.

"The reserve consists substantially of mown and maintained grassland with scattered trees and shrubs, and is bordered by existing residential development.

"In addition, the reserve is narrow and linear, and does not provide resources of particular value for any threatened biota or migratory species.

"Notwithstanding the single record of a bush stone-curlew on the Sorrento Rd Reserve, the subject land is not regarded as an area of any particular habitat value or significance for either threatened species or even more common native fauna and flora.

"Given those considerations, the Sorrento Rd Reserve is not regarded as of particular conservation value.

"In a ranking system of various reserves and parts thereof in the vicinity, the Sorrento Rd Reserve is considered to be only of low quality in respect of ecological values in general, including with respect to threatened biota and/or migratory species.

"In recognition of that low quality ranking, essentially all of the Sorrento Rd Reserve could be designated by council for either dog off-leash or dog on-leash activities."

Both reviews recommended appropriate environmental measures should be in place including the provision of signage to remind dog owners of their responsibilities, the provision of appropriate dog waste disposal containers, regular monitoring by council rangers and to temporary close the area if bush stone-curlew breeding is detected in the area.

Each review also suggested council implement a Plan of Management for the bush stone-curlew.

Under Section 13(6) of the Companion Animals Act, 1998, council must have in place at all times at least one public place that is an off-leash exercise area.

The environmental assessments will be available for public comment and submissions must be received by council before Monday, August 23, at 5pm.

Submissions can be sent to the general manager, Gosford City Council, PO Box 21, Gosford NSW 2250.

Website, 30 Jul 2010 Gosford Council Report, 6 Apr 2010 Whelans Insites, Empire Bay REF Report, 4 Jun 2010 Whelans Insites, St Huberts Island REF