By Mikayla van Loon
A petition for a fully fenced dog park within the Elizabeth Bridge Reserve (EBR) in Kilsyth has been lodged with Yarra Ranges Council.
Lead petitioner Shelley Large submitted the petition at the Tuesday 12 September council meeting after gathering over 700 signatures.
“Kilsyth is more like our neighbours in Maroondah and Knox than the rural areas of the Yarra Ranges,” she said.
“Fully fenced off dog parks are the norm in these other local government areas and are expected in the suburbs of Melbourne.
“Kilsyth has a higher than average ownership of dogs and the Elizabeth Bridge Reserve is a favourite place to go.”
In 2021 there were 25,185 dogs registered in the shire but with 70 per cent of the population residing in just three per cent of the local government area (LGA) it is likely the majority of the dogs also live within the urban parts of the municipality.
As a volunteer instructor at Croydon Dog Club and a former member of the behaviour team at Animal Aid, Ms Large said she understands off lead dog parks can be controversial but in the urban areas where backyards are minimal, they are necessary.
Having previously had access to the oval at EBR until it became a training and playing space for local sporting clubs, Ms Large said the restrictions placed on dog owners were confusing.
“The oval of Elizabeth Bridge Reserve has been the off-lead section but the council has not been clear about how the oval will be shared with sporting groups and this has a negative impact on dog owners and our sporting groups,” she said.
“The council website now says until 3pm weekdays and [dogs] are not allowed at weekends. This is not much benefit to dog owners in the workforce and causes confusion.”
Ms Large said the petition for a fully fenced space was not just about dog owners themselves but for other users of the reserve.
“Many locals use the EBR and not all are dog lovers. We as dog owners want other users’ rights and for those people to feel comfortable that there is a separate space for dogs that does not negatively impact on other people’s sense of safety.”
Commenting on the fenced section of the off-lead park currently at EBR, Ms Large said the dangers of dogs still running out onto Durham Road is a risk.
“Durham Road is a busy road and gets busier with each extra development in the area.
“The council and the community are seeing an explosion in medium density housing, where the big backyard is replaced with small areas or no garden with many locals no longer having a backyard and probably more dogs living in the area. The EBR is where they exercise their dogs.
“I appreciate that the council wants well controlled dogs in the park, particularly in unfenced off leash areas but if this is a priority, and it should be, what responsibility is the council taking for providing space for caring dog owners to train their dogs?
“Yes, we can all go to Eastfield in Maroondah but that doesn’t suggest the Council supports its own community to train and exercise dogs responsibly.”
Proof of this, in a relatively short time, Ms Large said is the new gated dog park at Kimberley Reserve in Chirnside Park which is being used by Kilsyth residents.
“The seemingly sudden secure gating of Kimberley Reserve as a trial means there is some form of evidence gathering to measure the impact.”
Councillor Richard Higgins thanked Ms Large for her endorsement of the Kimberley Reserve fencing.
“You’ve just supported a battle I had with various people for a long time about gates on Kimberley Reserve, so thank you very, very much. I look forward to seeing a gated dog park for you,” he said.
Councillors voted unanimously to pass the petition onto the appropriate department within the council to investigate further.
“It’s one of those cases of local knowledge, feeding into the council to make better decisions,” Cr Andrew Fullagar said.
“So we certainly welcome that and if we can come to some sort of compromise or a good solution then good on you.”
