Dogs enjoying the Point Hut Dog Exercise Area, located in Gordon. Photo: Melanie Smith.
It’s looking more and more likely the ACT Government will spare one of Tuggeranong’s most popular dog exercise areas after a massive backlash from the community to news it could become on-leash-only.
The Point Hut Dog Exercise Area, a 10-acre swathe of nature located on the corner of Woodcock Drive and Jim Pike Avenue in Gordon, is regarded as “a local haven” for dog owners.
“It’s my morning meditation, if I’m honest,” nearby resident Melanie Smith told Region earlier this month.
“I’m an early-morning riser, so my routine is to get up at 4:30 am, go to the gym, come back and take my two dogs for a sunrise walk. And while they’re sniffing around, I get to walk quietly, enjoying my solitude and watching the sun come up over the mountains.”
It’s why Ms Smith and hundreds of regular users were confused to find signs installed near the area’s entrances last month, flagging that it would shortly be designated an on-lead-only zone.
The Lanyon Dog Park, which includes separate fenced areas for small and large dogs as well as a grass play area and dog “agility” area, is set to open on the same corner of Gordon within the next few months.
But despite the government saying plans for this park received “a high level of support”, locals like Ms Smith say it won’t suit all the dogs that use today’s exercise area.
“Most of our dogs are pets. They’re not trained for agility. I certainly can’t see myself teaching my dog to go through hoops.”
A map showing how the Point Hut Dog Exercise Area compares to the new Lanyon Dog Park. Photo: Melanie Smith.
With help from Canberra Liberals MLA Deborah Morris, a petition to keep the area “open to the public as an approved off-leash facility” has attracted more than 1100 signatures.
To garner even more support, there are plans to hold a community barbecue at the site on Saturday, 21 June.
ACT Labor’s local member for the area Caitlin Tough (who is also planning to attend the BBQ), says the pressure is already paying off.
She clarified that the ACT’s Conservator of Flora and Fauna – rather than the ACT Government or ACT City Services Minister Tara Cheyne – made the recommendation to mark the area as on-lead-only.
The Office of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna is established under the Nature Conservation Act 2014. It acts on behalf of the government’s Environment, Planning and Sustainable Development Directorate “on issues that affect matters relating to the conservation of local environment”.
“It’s not the position of the government or Minister Cheyne that the use of the Point Hut Dog Exercise Area be changed or not, and I know the minister personally loves dog parks,” Ms Tough told Region.
“When I found out about the conservator’s idea, I met with the community and wrote to Minister Cheyne seeking clarity and asking that any decisions be reconsidered so it can continue to operate as is.
“While I don’t personally use the dog exercise area – my dog isn’t really a fan of dog parks – I do drive past it quite regularly and see how many cars are nearby, so I know how well loved and used it is.”
ACT Labor MLA for Brindabella Caitlin Tough. Photo: Caitlin Tough, Facebook.
While the minister doesn’t have the power to “direct” the conservator’s decisions, Ms Tough says Ms Cheyne has asked them to be “more consultative”.
“Representatives from Parks and Conservation have met with the community on site at the Point Hut Dog Exercise Area, and from all reports, the meeting was positive,” she says.
“While I don’t have a timeframe of when a decision will be reached, although I’m continuously following up, I know that Minister Cheyne and the directorate are working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
“I’m optimistic the area will remain off-leash.”
The Office of the Conservator of Flora and Fauna was contacted for comment.
