Following the resolution of the Northern Beaches Council Motion 187/20 on 28 July 2020, the feasibility report for establishing dog off-leash areas in the set area of Palm Beach (north) and Mona Vale Beach (south) will be tabled at the next Northern Beaches Council meeting on 27 April 2021.
As the Palm Beach Protection Group has previously stated it remains perplexing as to why these two beaches have been chosen for the feasibility report without a rigorous examination of alternative sites including non-beach sites.
As part of the report, Council has provided sketches of the proposed trial area for the off-leash dog activity for each beach which is proposed to be from 4.00pm to 10.00am, seven days a week. The report notes that various environmental assessments will need to be completed (proposed to commence in May 2021 subject to adoption) and discusses that the NSW Land and Environment Court decision in Palm Beach Protection Group Incorporated v Northern Beaches Council [2020] NSWLEC 156 has highlighted the relevant planning and approval pathways available to Council!
At this time, the Palm Beach Protection Group remains alert to the requirement that Council must exercise appropriate process and environmental scrutiny when considering the impact of off-leash dog activity at any proposed site. We call on Council to ensure that robust and expert environmental assessment is undertaken and that any outcome that is concluded from these assessments is cognisant of all environmental sensitivities irrespective of public opinion or activism.
The Palm Beach Protect Group remains committed to protecting our beach environment for future generations.
Click here: Council Agenda 27 April 2021