Have your say in person

Bayside Mayor, Dr Christina Curry, and Councillors invite you to Rhodes Street Reserve (East), Hillsdale from 5.15pm - 6pm on Thursday 24 August to share your feedback on the proposed new dog off-leash area at the reserve.

No appointment is necessary, just turn up.


Background

Bayside Council has investigated potential locations for new unfenced dog off-leash areas to cater for an increase in dog ownership and strong demand for more locations where dogs can exercise off-leash that are controlled and safe.

There are currently 14 dog off-leash exercise areas across Bayside. Click here to view the map of current and proposed off-leash exercise areas.


Proposed locations

Council proposes to establish four new unfenced dog off-leash exercise areas in the following locations:

Advantages

  • Currently being used unlawfully as an off-leash area indicating demand for a designated, permissible exercise area at this location.
  • Located near multiple high-density residential dwellings.
  • Meets minimum size requirements.
  • Naturally bound by trees and set back in the reserve away from other activities.
  • Sufficiently located away from the playground and Matraville Public School (the school is fully fenced with no access to the park).
  • Located near public transport links and adequate parking.
  • There are walking paths through the park to Rhodes Street and Bunnerong Road.
  • There is access to the site from Bunnerong Road and Rhodes Avenue.
  • There is on street parking and a carpark at Rhodes Avenue Reserve.
  • Lighting and bench seats are located at site.
  • Other complementary assets in the park include a dog waste bag dispenser, a tap for water access, a BBQ and a playground.
  • Established trees provide shade.


Challenges

  • Installation of additional bins will be needed.
  • The site is owned by Sydney Water and will require additional approvals
  • Reliance on the compliance by dog owners to stay within the designated unfenced off-leash area and not to venture to the playground or picnic areas.

Advantages

  • This park is a short walking distance from Mascot Square.
  • This park is accessible from Botany Road and O'Riordan Street, Mascot.
  • On street parking is available.
  • It has established seating.
  • It has pillars that define the boundary of the site.


Challenges

  • It is a small site that is only suitable for small dogs and dog breeds that don’t need a lot of exercise.
  • Noise may become an issue for neighbouring properties.

Advantages

  • The area meets the minimum size requirements and is long enough for dogs of all sizes to run.
  • It has a natural boundary (contained within the property fences and the rail corridor fence).
  • There is seating throughout the park.
  • On street parking is available.

Challenges

  • Increased noise could be an issue for neighbouring properties.
  • The condition of fencing to the rail corridor would need to be monitored to prevent access.

Advantages

  • The area meets the minimum size requirements.
  • The location has a natural boundary (contained within property fences that surround the open space area).
  • The site is surrounded by fencing from adjoining properties and copper log fencing.
  • There is existing complementary infrastructure such as the playground, stormwater GPT and a copper log fence.
  • There is a water tap at the east of the park.
  • Established trees within the park provide shade.

Challenges

  • Noise may become an issue for neighbouring properties.
  • There is limited parking. Park visitors will need to walk or park in neighbouring streets and walk to the park.
  • Decommissioning of deteriorated play ground equipment is required.

Have your say

You are invited to review proposed additional sites for unenclosed off-leash dog exercise areas and provide your feedback in any of the following ways:


Online: via the online submission form below.



Hard copy: Submit a hard copy submission to one of our Customer Service Centres.

Opening hours are 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday at:

Eastgardens Customer Service Centre, Ground Floor, 152 Bunnerong Road, Eastgardens
Rockdale Customer Service Centre, 444-446 Princes Highway, Rockdale


Email: haveyoursay@bayside.nsw.gov.au




Post: Bayside Council, PO Box 21, Rockdale NSW 2216.



Submissions close 28 August 2023.



Next steps

Your feedback will inform the preferred sites put forward to Council for adoption.


More information

For more information, please contact Council's Manager Libraries and Lifestyle, Bobbi Mayne, at bobbi.mayne@bayside.nsw.gov.au, or on 9366 3885.


Accessibility


For more accessibility features, click the purple icon at the top of the page.



If you need the above information and/or submission form in another format, please contact our Community Engagement team at 9562 1597.