WHAT dogs do and where they do it attracted a lot more interest around the council table at last Wednesday’s Bass Coast Shire Council meeting than most of the weighty planning documents presented on the same day.

Forget the $9.94 million for the Phillip Island Sporting Precinct over the next eight years or aspirations for two aquatic centres at a cost of $81 million, one this decade in Wonthaggi and one in the following decade at Cowes if you can…

Dogs, and to a much lesser degree, roaming cats, were the hot button issue at council last Wednesday.

Whereas there were only functional remarks from our elected representatives about the shire’s ambitious plans for a massive program of capital works over the next 10 years, set out in the Long Term Financial Plan, five of the councillors wanted a say about the new Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2025-2029 which was put out for public consultation.

It stands to reason. There was more feedback on the preparation of the DAMP than just about anything else the council does with more than 800 community members contributing to the consultation, filling out 651 surveys, with 111 people attending consultation pop-ups at Wonthaggi, Cowes, Inverloch and Corinella and contributing 19 written submissions from key stakeholders and local organisations.

Phew, it’s been a lot!

Cr Jan Thompson acknowledged that for many dogs were an important member of the family and she welcomed the commitment to two new fenced dog parks, one at Inverloch and Cowes.

Cr Jon Temby said responsible pet ownership, especially dogs, had benefits for mental health, fitness and social interaction but he stressed that “wildlife don’t have advocates” and council needed to ensure the 1%, 2% or 3% pet owners who caused problems complied.

Cr Tim O’Brien agreed, saying council needed to be able to enforce the conditions in the domestic animal management plan.

“We do see too many dogs in sensitive areas running off leash,” he said, disturbing wombats at San Remo and also in Hooded Plover areas and he supported a better compliance effort.

Cr Tracey Bell introduced the subject and moved the motion, which sets out a public consultation period from August 20, 2025 to September 14, 2025.

However, while she acknowledged the “pretty phenomenal” level of community feedback, the expansion in dog numbers by almost 27% in four year and the “real benefits to mental health and physical wellbeing”, she has raised the ire of dog owners on social media with her remarks about needing “to protect our community and environment from nuisance and risk”.

“So, I think we need stronger compliance, and I think the plan is bringing that.

“I know there's many places that my son and I kind of avoid riding our bikes because of off-leash dogs. Lovers Lane is one example. It’s unsettling to be surprised by dogs off-leash there and feels sort of audacious for owners to be walking their dogs off-leash in that area.

“I just want to be clear that calling for more compliance doesn't make me a dog hater. Most dog owners do the right thing, and I completely acknowledge that, but we kind of have to legislate for those who don't, those who let the dogs run loose in the sand dunes and down the main streets or disturbing wildlife, people and other dogs.

“And this plan is including education and enforcement, which I think is a good, a good way to tackle that nuisance and risk.”

Here’s a flavour of the response to Cr Bell’s comments about dogs and bikes on Lovers Lane in Cowes:

• When I heard Tracey Bell comment about her bike riding experience at Lovers Walk I thought hmmm...
• Is it Lovers Walk or Lovers Ride, pretty scary when peddle or electric bikes pass you from behind.
• Her comment was ridiculous. Bikeriders use this area and don’t slow down. She says she doesn’t like to ride there with her son because of dogs. Like give me a break!!! I would like to walk there and not see kids on bikes!!!
• I walked along Lovers Lane yesterday with my greyhound on-leash and we were subjected to countless people on bicycles, both peddle and motorised going at speed, weaving in and out around us. We won't go there now. Their actions make walking there way too dangerous and frightening for my dog.
• When I yelled out to several to slow down, I was subjected to abuse. A fair go is all I want.

Go to the Bass Coast Shire Council’s ‘Engage Bass Coast’ website if you want to comment on the new draft Domestic Animal Management Plan (DAMP) 2025-2029. Click HERE.