Published on 06 May 2022

Have your say on dogs in the City of Onkaparinga

The City of Onkaparinga is seeking community feedback on its proposed by-law for managing dogs in the council area.

Council’s current By-Law 7 – Dogs will expire on 1 January 2023 and council is keen to hear from residents to help establish its position on dog on-leash areas, dog prohibited areas, and protecting the region’s Hooded Plover population.

The purpose of the by-law is to manage dogs in the council area, reduce incidence of environmental nuisance caused by dogs, to promote responsible dog ownership and to protect the convenience, comfort and safety of members of the public.

The main changes to the proposed by-law that will affect dog owners are:

• A dog is not to be kept on a property where council reasonably considers there is no secure or appropriate are where the dog can be kept
• Dogs to be on-leash in any park or reserve as indicated by signage when organised sport is being played at the park or reserve
• Dogs to be on-leash in a Hooded Plover dog on-leash zone on the foreshore that is within one hundred (100) metres of any sign that includes the words ‘hooded plover’ or indicates hooded plovers are present in the area.
• Dogs are prohibited in a Hooded Plover nesting area, which has been enclosed with a temporary fence by an authorised person.
• Dogs (except assistance dogs) are not allowed to enter or remain on the Port Noarlunga Jetty. This is because of the large number of anglers regularly fishing on the jetty and the hazard a dog can cause by being present in the area.
• The term ‘public place’ refers to places where the public has access. The term is relevant for on-leash and dog prohibited areas and now includes coastal waters that extend 50m from the low water mark which is the normal council boundary.

Dog exercise areas, dog on-lead and dog prohibited areas remain unchanged. Dog exercise information can be found on our website https://www.onkaparingacity.com/Services-and-projects/Pets-and-animals/Dogs/Dog-exercise-areas 

You can view the proposed by-law at council’s Your Say page and have your say by 5pm on Thursday 26 May.