BASS Coast Shire Councillors were talking tough when they ushered in a new era in domestic animal management at their council meeting on Wednesday, October 15.
And their enforcement-rich approach wasn’t lost on a group of Phillip Island Bass Coast Dog Owners Association members who turned out at the council’s monthly meeting in the Berninneit Cultural Centre in Cowes.
President of the strong dog owners’ group, Cheryl Owens, said some of the comments by the councillors, especially the threatening remarks made by Cr Matt Morgan, had upset some of her members especially after the collaborative and respectful way they had engaged with the new Domestic Animal Management Plan process.
“They couldn’t believe the way they spoke about us, as if the dog owners were nothing but trouble,” said Ms Owens.
“I thanked them (the members) for coming but quite a few of them went away upset about what had been said.
“The accusations of irresponsible pet ownership, claims about harassment of wildlife and especially the remarks by Cr Morgan, that he’s going to do what, come back with a Notice of Motion and take away our ability to walk our dogs on the beach if something goes wrong?
“These incidents are very isolated. And there are some people who will never do the right thing,” said Ms Owens.
“If that’s their only plan, to fine people out of doing the wrong thing, how’s that going to work?
“In other shires it’s more about better signage and education than more enforcement.”
Dog owners’ statement
The group has since issued the following statement:
“The dog association worked collaboratively with the Bass Coast Shire on this new DAMP. We will continue to support off-lead beach areas and will continue to lobby for designated inland off-lead dog parks,” said Ms Owens on behalf of the group.
“We will continue to educate all dog owners around protecting and living with our native wildlife in our community. Our association will continue to promote responsible dog ownership.
“We supported the DAMP in good faith as we were involved in the process.
“What we didn’t expect was for the councillors to then focus on one narrow component (enforcement) rather than the DAMP in its entirety.
“We are looking forward to advancing the care and protection of the San Remo wombats.
“We certainly hope the councillors can look at it with a broader view going forward.”
There was also a briefing for the group’s 3000 Facebook page members prompting dozens of responses, none of it complimentary to the council.
“I listened after and couldn't believe what they were saying, not much of what they said made sense. It definitely was like we had been totally ignored. They seem gun ho on shutting us down. I was totally shocked how they spoke.
“The people that are letting their dogs go near and in the wombat burrows need to be caught and fined. If the council are so worried about this then they need to install better cameras to cover more of the area. Just my thoughts Cheryl. You really do a great job. The whole association is proud of you.”
Here’s what Cr Morgan had to say
“Thank you, Madam Mayor. The domestic animal management strategies had an incredible amount of community engagement; I think 800 pieces of engagement. That's wild for a tiny little local council like us. I'd like to thank everyone who took the time to engage with the plan, but I want to give special thanks to those who advocate for the animals that they don't own, for the wombats, the hooded plovers, all of the flora and fauna.
“We need domestic animals and their owners to take responsibility for the actions of their animals that we've brought into the natural environment of our native wildlife. I'm looking forward to seeing the inland off-leash areas being formalized with fencing in Inverloch.
“And like my colleagues, I'm glad to share that we're acquiring a couple of new compliance officers. Hopefully, this approach allows officers to educate those doing the wrong thing, and granted, it is the extreme minority, without ruining it for the responsible pet owners.
“That being said, I remain extremely concerned about the vulnerability of our native wildlife, especially on particular parts of our beautiful beaches.
“I've seen the photos and videos of the dogs chasing wildlife and digging in burrows. That must stop. I won't hesitate to bring an urgent motion into this chamber in future if I see that behaviour continuing post the adoption of this plan.”
The official shire line
General Manager Resilient Communities Jodi Kennedy introduced the new management plan.
“The domestic animal management plan addresses ongoing and emergent community priorities regarding animal management with a vision too to support a thriving, healthy community where responsible pet ownership and environmental stewardship go hand in hand, ensuring safe shared spaces that protect biodiversity while enriching the lives of people and their animals.”
Empasis on compliance, says Cr Bell
Cr Tracey Bell spoke first, noting the findings of the community engagement and moving the adoption of the new Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026-2029.
“Thanks Madam Mayor, despite differing views across our community that were gleaned through the engagement, there are a couple of things that we all agree on. First, that non-compliance by a few impacts the experience of many, especially those responsible pet owners, and second, that protecting our natural environment is essential.
“This DAMP puts strong emphasis on compliance, and I'm glad that we'll see more officers on the ground, clearer signage, and more people doing the right thing as we move into the implementation of this plan.
“And in fact, hot off the press is that the team are already getting some early starts and late starts rostering in train, and the community safety team has started increasing visibility and patrols during those hours outside of work hours.
“Already, they've delivered multiple patrols at San Remo and other priority beach locations already through this plan. So, ultimately, this plan is about creating a safer, cleaner and more respectful Bass Coast for everyone, residents, visitors and our natural environment,” said Cr Bell.
No more ‘wet lettuce leaf’ action
Cr Jon Temby seconded the motion.
“Resulting from a mammoth community engagement process, the Domestic Animal Management Plan or DAMP is a good document that with full implementation and strong policing, should resolve the seemingly tractable issues around irresponsible pet owners allowing their animals to adversely interact with wildlife, and the primary legal and moral responsibility we have to allow our wildlife to exist undisturbed.
“Strong policing and the immediate and the immediate and heavier fines for infringement should help to get the message through that pet or feral animals’ interference with our wildlife is illegal, seriously irresponsible and grossly selfish on the part of the owner.
“The wet-lettuce-leaf approach of a verbal warning has no impact on these people. They need strong deterrence via fines. The prompt use of serious fines should eventually get through to these people.
“If this occurs, then the majority of pet owners who kept their animals under full control can continue to enjoy the benefits of allowing their animals to be off-leash.
“The wildlife were here first. They're under threat from irresponsible pet owners, and hopefully this plan will help to improve pet owner behaviour and allow our wildlife to continue to follow their normal activities without disturbance.
“I fully support the DAMP on the basis that strong enforcement of the legal obligation from our expanded enforcement team to prevent the disturbance of our wildlife, as well as minimising attacks on people and usage behaviour and restrictions on dangerous, menacing and restricted breeds will occur.”
Most of the councillors had their say on what has been a major undertaking of council, trying to strike the right balance between the needs of dog owners and the demands for environment and wildlife protection.
Councillors have their say
Cr Tim O’Brien: “This is a really good report and just coming in behind Cr Bell's comments about increasing numbers of officers to ensure compliance, it's simply fact that we do need to protect the wombats at San Remo.
“We need to protect the hooded plovers, and we've got, you know, other wildlife that are impacted by the poor behaviours of some very few, but some pet owners.
“The other part of this management plan which is pleasing to see is that it's also about the welfare of animals and those of us who love our dogs, love our pets.
“It is concerning when, you know, when animals show up that have obviously been poorly cared for, not desexed, hit on the roads, whatever. So, I think there's a really important role for council to look after our wildlife, to ensure that feral animals are controlled and also to look after the welfare of pets and the animals that contribute so much to us to our mental health and wellbeing as citizens.”
Cr Edwards said she believed the council had got the balance right with the new DAMP.
“I would just like to congratulate the officers to start with. This has been a really complex one to get that balance right and I think, hopefully, we've got it. And if I can ask the community to come with us, give it a try and with kindness to each other, because I know there’s a whole heap of angst that comes with this from both sides of the fence,” said Cr Edwards.
“But there's another group of people that we haven't discussed here, and that is young families on the beaches as well. So, I really appreciate dog ownership and what that means to so many people. I mean, they’re really a member of your family in most cases.
“I don't have a dog myself. I'm a cat person for my sins. I know what that means in terms of what an animal, domestic animal, means in someone's life. Really important for mental wellbeing, and for healthiness and fitness and the rest of it.
“At the same time, I have been a young mum with young children on the beach, and I've had dogs bounding towards me. So, I get the other side of that too, the wildlife and taking care of our families.
“So, I'm just hoping that this new plan is meeting that balance.”
Cr Ron Bauer spoke in support of providing dogs and their owners with enough space to exercise, off-leash and on-leash.
“I've been involved with the DAMP process since the last council when I successfully moved the motion in relation to the off-leash dog runs in San Remo and Cowes west. I look forward to the inland dog park at the Cowes recreation reserve and I hope the signage will be clear for all dog owners to observe.
“The main problem for all Council local laws is enforcement. Unfortunately, at the moment, it is too easy to roll the dice. The odds are, if a person flouts the ordinance, they'll probably get away with it. I'm glad to see Ms Kennedy's team is employing two extra enforcement officers and extending their time on the patrol so the amenities can be enjoyed by all and ensure that the pet owners do the right thing.
Hefty fines apply
In December last year, the Bass Coast Shire Council posted the following message about fines for dog owners doing the wrong thing:
“All dogs must be on a leash when out in public and not in a designated off-leash area. Failure to do so can result in an infringement of $185. You must also pick up after your dog when out in public and carry bags with which to do so. Failure to pick up after your dog or carry bags carries an infringement of up to $370.”
It is anticipated that these fines have since increased but importantly, fines can be issued without warning.
