A group of angry Narrawallee residents is not willing to compromise when it comes to dogs on their beach.
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A counter petition has been launched in response to a campaign pushing for additional dog exercise areas and off-leash zones on Narrawallee Beach.
Beach user Frances Hepburn said many residents opposed recent calls for more freedom for dogs on the beach and said her lobby group was opposed to any changes to rules.
“There has already been a compromise and we believe there is no need to change the existing policy,” she said.
A group of residents met with the Times at the southern end of Narrawallee Beach in pouring rain on Monday morning to show their support for retaining the dog-free beach zones.
Jan Gregory said the matter of dogs on Narrawallee Beach had been “thoroughly dealt with over several years” and she said a compromise had previously been made to permit dogs on leash between the rocks at the Victor Avenue steps and the island.
“This arrangement was for the benefit of all,” she said.
Mrs Gregory said a dog on a leash could be controlled by its owner, whereas a dog off-leash could create problems for other beach users.
“Throughout the year, exercising by walking along Narrawallee Beach is undertaken by many,” she added. “This should not be curtailed by dogs being off-leash.
“Some people are frightened of dogs and will cringe if one comes near.”
She claimed a boy was bitten by a dog at Narrawallee Beach and required stitches, while an older woman was swimming and two dogs ran into the water and jumped on her back.
“The fact is that dog owners can walk up and down a section of Narrawallee Beach with their dogs on a leash,” Mrs Gregory added.
“They can go to the off-leash places and those of us who don't wish to be attacked can avoid those off-leash places.”
She said some dog owners ignore signage indicating the beach rules.
“Because of the disobedience of many dog owners to the current rule, any change in this rule allowing dogs off-leash is also likely to be breached as dogs can't tell the time and can't recognise boundaries,” she said.
Mrs Hepburn said a petition would be circulated throughout narrawallee urging Shoalhaven City Council to retain the status quo and to step-up ranger patrols of the beach.
“This is a prime surfing beach and is highly suitable for all groups,” she said.
“Clean, safe beaches are worth millions of dollars to the local economy and any measure which threatens this should be defeated.”
She said council had a responsibility to “safeguard the interests of the whole community”.
Mrs Hepburn also told the Times that neither the Narrawallee Ratepayers Association nor the Ulladulla and Districts Community Forum had been consulted about the proposal.
Two petitions are currently being distributed, one calling for an expansion of dog areas and the other lobbying for no change.
Dog on beaches is an issue which people are very passionate about and residents should sign their favoured petition or write to Shoalhaven City Council’s general manager with their views.
The issue is expected to be raised at the May 19 meeting of council.
