Central Coast Council and the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) have installed new signs at Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve and around Wamberal Surf Club to remind dog owners the areas that are off limits.
It is illegal to bring dogs into Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve, including the lagoon and the beach north of Wamberal Surf Club, as well as Council’s ‘Dogs Prohibited’ area running south of Wamberal Surf Club to Surfers Lane.
Pet owners face on-the-spot fines of between $300 and $3,300 if their dogs are found in restricted areas.
The Council says reports of illegal activity have increased significantly, such as walking in the nature reserve, uncontrolled dogs, and owners not picking up after their pets.
“The Central Coast currently has the second highest number of registered dogs in NSW and, as a result, Council receives a correspondingly high number of dog enquiries and complaints,” said Council’s Environment and Planning A/Director, Shannon Turkington.
“Council is addressing responsible dog ownership through a range of low-cost proactive and reactive measures including upgrading or replacing missing, vandalised or broken signage across the Local Government Area, adopting a Responsible Dog Ownership Policy, drafting of the proposed Dogs in Open Space Action Plan and ongoing community education initiatives.”
In April, Council undertook an educational responsible dog ownership pop-up stall at Terrigal, which was also attended by Rangers.
“The pop-up stall was designed to provide residents with information on where it is appropriate to walk your animals in Terrigal and Wamberal,” said A/Director Turkington.
“Council’s team of 12 Rangers patrol popular areas such as our beaches and reserves as often as possible and respond to dog-related complaints on an almost daily basis.”
Wamberal Lagoon is one of the last remaining coastal lagoons in NSW that has not been heavily impacted by urban development, said NPWS Area Manager, Steve Atkins.
“While it is great to see so many people using the nature reserve to exercise, bringing dogs into the nation park and north along Wamberal Beach towards Spoon Bay is illegal and having a negative impact on other park users, native wildlife and nutrient levels within the lagoon,” he said.
“Recently, our rangers have had a number of disappointing interactions people bringing their dog into the nature reserve.
“While dog owners can face fines of $300, we are ultimately appealing to people to be responsible owners and respectful park users.
“Please utilise Council’s dedicated dog exercise areas and help us to protect Wamberal Lagoon Nature Reserve,” said Mr Atkins.
The nature reserve also protects habitat for at least seven species of migratory birds, including the Pacific Golden Plover and the Bar Tailed Godwit.
NPWS and Council Rangers will be undertaking compliance patrols and pet owners face on-the-spot fines of $300, with a maximum fine of up to $3300, if domestic dogs are detected in a prohibited area.
For more information on areas where dog walking is permitted, please visit online.
