THE Korumburra A & P Society are threatening to lock the gates to the showgrounds if dog owners continue to leave dog excrement on the ground, without picking it up.
An increasing amount of people are using the showgrounds to walk their dogs or let them have a run off leash, in the absence of a dedicated dog park in the town.
While most dog owners are respectful of the site and do the responsible thing, there are reportedly a small number of users who are refusing to pick up their dog’s waste, and it’s impacting others.
“The football club obviously use the oval, they’re tenants of ours and when a player’s training or on game day and there’s dog poo that they fall into, it’s unpleasant,” said Danial Robbins, President of the Korumburra A & P Society.
“There are even people that have been witness to people’s dogs having a poo and then said to that person to pick it up, and they’ve been told to go and get effed.”
Danial believes that more appropriate facilities need to be implemented to cater to the nearly 6000 dogs and dog owners in South Gippsland.
“Unfortunately, there’s no such asset at the moment.”
“I’m a strong advocate for the council to start looking down the avenue of a dedicated dog park in Korumburra for the community to use,” said Danial, who suggested land on the corner of O’Neill’s Road near the Railway Precinct would be suitable.
“There’s that much room along that railway corridor to be utilised. I think it’s time for the council to – I know it’s another asset for them to look after – but I think it’ll make more people more responsible if there’s something a bit more dedicated.”
The South Gippsland Shire Council (SGSC) doesn’t currently have designated off-leash areas, as dogs can be walked off-leash in most public areas, provided they are under effective voice control.
SGSC have stated that a dog leash order is expected to be introduced as part of the next Domestic Animal Management Plan (due for renewal in 2026), based on previous community engagement which indicated support for a strengthening of orders in urban locations.
As part of any leash order, it is likely that off-leash areas will be designated.
While SGSC also provide dog litter bins and ‘animal waste’ bags in 15 parks and reserves across the Shire, including one at Coleman Park in Queen Street, Korumburra, they state that: it is expected that dog owners have their own bags with them to dispose of dog waste.
Danial added that while the A & P Society would be happy to look at providing similar waste facilities down the track, it’s not something that’s viable for them at the moment and dog owners have a responsibility to arm themselves appropriately.
“It’s just an extra cost for us to be honest, as a not-for-profit organisation, to purchase those bags as well – I know it’s not much – but these things add up.
“If you’re taking your dog for a walk, you would understand your dog, nine times out of 10, it’s going to have a poo.”
Danial commented that the A & P Society will continue to monitor the situation and if it comes to it, action will be taken.
“If it does continue, we will lock the gates on the oval, and there’ll be no access for people to use it with their dogs.”