The proposed changes will soon be on exhibition for public comment and will involve the creation of both new dog on-leash and off-leash areas, changes to time restrictions and additional areas where dogs are prohibited.

The Access Areas for Dogs Policy has been in place since 2005 when extensive community consultation was carried out.

A review of the policy has resulted in numerous suggestions from the community as well as environmental groups.

Dogs are permitted on-leash on the vast majority of beaches within the Shoalhaven however, in an effort to protect endangered shorebirds and to accommodate all residents, changes are set to be made.

In the south of the city, Cormorant Beach at Bawley Point has been suggested as a 24-hour off-leash area and Gannett Beach could become an off-leash area from 4pm until 8pm to compensate for the proposed dog prohibited area at Murramarang Beach – an endangered shorebird nesting site.

The southern end of Kioloa Beach, which adjoins a dog-friendly caravan park, also looks set to become an 24-hour off-leash area to Butlers Point, while the northern end will become dog prohibited to protect shorebirds.

Signage will be erected at Bawley Point to clarify the areas.

The proposal will also see dogs prohibited at Bendalong’s Flat Rock Beach and the Lake Conjola sand spit which have also been identified as important bird nesting sites.

The review will see Washerwoman’s Beach at Bendalong changed to a 24-hour off-leash dog access area, extending the current 4pm to 8am limits.

Plans are also being considered to create a 24-hour off-leash area at the Milton Showground when there are no major events at the facility.

Following public comment, a new information booklet, complete with maps will be produced outlining off leash areas and set times, prohibited areas and shorebird nesting areas.

In conjunction with the revised policy, council plans to market the region as a holiday destination for dog owners and, given the additional shorebird protection measures, also to bird watchers.

The health and social benefits of owning a dog have been taken into consideration by council as well as concerns by some members of the public who object to dogs being off-leash in public.

The changes also include a revision of signage and maps which have proven confusing in areas such as Mollymook Beach.

Councillors were last night expected to recommend the proposed changes go on public exhibition and copies of the plan be sent to all Community Consultative Bodies (CCB) for feedback.