By COUNCILLOR JAMIE MACKENZIE
THERE are continued requests by residents on the Southern Downs for the council to provide off-leash dog areas.
It’s time council delivered this for pet owners rather than claiming it’s too expensive.
Our council seems to be ill-advised that off-leash areas for dogs are expensive. There are hundreds of designated off-leash areas in Toowoomba, Ipswich, Brisbane, next door in the Scenic Rim Region and along the dozens of beaches without fences.
All it would take is a few signs and change of policy.
Depreciation of signs is negligible and I am sure the cost would not break the budget.
There is nothing in the law that requires unleashed areas to be fenced by council.
The controllers of dogs and other companion animals are expected to supervise and to clean up after them.
So in my view there is no extra expense for council compared with dogs on leashes.
I moved at council’s August 2014 general meeting that it seek public comments for possible off-leash sites.
The August 2014 motion was lost for no apparent reason.
It may not be the mayor’s personal priority but council has not yet openly discussed a budget for the proposal this year.
More and more we need councillors who listen to rate payers’ needs and implement community projects with maximum benefit at minimal cost.
An off-leash area would be a win-win for all, making dogs and their owners happier and healthier.
For further details, contact Jamie Mackenzie, PO Box 45, Killarney, 4373.
Phone (07) 4664 1341, 0402 991 458 or mackenziejr@hotmail.com.
This is a personal opinion only and not necessarily that held by the SDRC.
