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Timbrell Park Off-Leash Dog Trial

FAQS

Of the over 150 parks and open spaces in the City of Canada Bay, there are currently 17 off-leash dog areas. In addition, Council recently passed a resolution for three more designated unrestricted off-leash dog areas at Kendall Reserve, King George V Park and Lower Phoenix Park.
 
Off-leash dog areas within the vicinity of Five Dock include:
 
Designated unrestricted off-leash areas
  • Battersea Park (Concord end of the park) - Battersea Street, Abbotsford
  • Charles Heath Reserve - Queens Road, Five Dock
  • Cintra Park - Lyons Road West, Canada Bay
  • Five Dock Park (near Five Dock Skatepark) - Ingham Avenue, Five Dock
  • Lysaght Park (on Five Dock Bay) - Bibby Street, Chiswick
  • Timbrell Park (western end, beyond the children's play area) - Henley Marine Drive, Five Dock
  • Storey Park (beside RSL Bowling Club) - McKinnon Avenue (off Lyons Road), Five Dock
 
Designated off-leash areas before 9am and after 5pm only
  • Halliday Park - (on Hen & Chicken Bay) - Udall Avenue, Five Dock
 
There are approximately 2000 microchipped dogs in Five Dock and Rodd Park representing an estimated 30% of all households.
Under section 14 of the Companion Animals Act (1998), Dogs are prohibited in the following places (whether or not they are leashed or otherwise controlled):
  • Children’s play areas (meaning any public place, or part of a public place, that is within 10 metres of any playing apparatus provided in that public place or part for the use of children).
  • Food preparation/consumption areas (meaning any public place, or part of a public place, that is within 10 metres of any apparatus provided in that public place or part for the preparation of food for human consumption or for the consumption of food by humans).
  • Recreation areas where dogs are prohibited (meaning any public place, or part of a public place, provided or set apart by a local authority for public recreation or the playing of organised games and in which the local authority has ordered that dogs are prohibited and in which, or near the boundaries of which, there are conspicuously exhibited by the local authority at reasonable intervals notices to the effect that dogs are prohibited in or on that public place or part).
  • Public bathing areas where dogs are prohibited (meaning any public place or any part of a public place that is used for or in conjunction with public bathing or public recreation (including a beach), in which the local authority has ordered that dogs are prohibited and in which, or near the boundaries of which, there are conspicuously exhibited by the local authority at reasonable intervals notices to the effect that dogs are prohibited in or on that public place).
  • School grounds (meaning any property occupied or used for a purpose connected with the conduct of a government school or non-government school under the Education Act 1990. other than any property used for a residence or the curtilage of a residence).
  • Child care centres (meaning any property occupied or used for a purpose connected with the conduct of a child care service as defined in the Children (Care and Protection) Act 1987, other than any property used for a residence or the curtilage of a residence).
  • Shopping areas where dogs are prohibited (meaning a shopping arcade or shopping complex, including any part of it that is used by the public for parking or access to shops, in which or part of which the local authority has ordered that dogs are prohibited and in which, or near the boundaries of which, there are conspicuously exhibited by the local authority at reasonable intervals notices to the effect that dogs are prohibited there). This paragraph does not apply to any shop or part of a shop.
  • Wildlife protection areas (meaning any public place or any part of a public place set apart by the local authority for the protection of wildlife and in which the local authority has ordered that dogs are prohibited for the purposes of the protection of wildlife and in which, or near the boundaries of which, there are conspicuously exhibited by the local authority at reasonable intervals notices to the effect that dogs are prohibited in or on that public place).
  • Safe play space for dogs to run off-leash
  • Provides both dogs and their owners opportunities to exercise and socialise
  • Encourages responsible behaviour by owners and their dogs through clear rules
  • Provides another avenue to create community connections enabling people to get to know other people with a common interest
  • Dog owners may benefit from the advice and peer support re: problems they might have with their dogs
  • Dogs also teach and learn from one another
  • Offers not only a social avenue, but also a safer way for those with mobility limitation, particularly who find it very difficult to walk, to exercise their dog
Yes, however all designated off-leash dog areas are separate to sports field and are located at least 10 metres from a children’s playground.
 
Examples of existing off-leash dog areas with enclosed playgrounds include Battersea Park, Brett Park, Drummoyne Park, Halliday Park, Taplin Park and Timbrell Park.
 
Examples of existing off-leash dog areas co-sharing (separate areas) with sports field use include Five Dock Park, Lysaght Park, Powells Creek Reserve and Taplin Park.
Timbrell Park’s existing off-leash dog area is located at the western side of Livvi’s Playground, however many local dog-owners requested Council to explore the possibility of utilising the south-eastern section of Timbrell Park as an off-leash dog area as they believe more preferable for dog exercise as it is larger and more protected from
Henley Marine Drive. This area of the park is a well utilised sports field and therefore presents challenges.
 
 
The initial trial and consultation was undertaken from Wednesday, 24 October to Tuesday, 20 November.
The trial at Timbrell Park resulted in different park users presenting conflicting feedback.
 
The consultation attracted 152 submissions, of which 92% of survey respondents own a dog. The level of support was:
  • 86% support a permanent off-leash dog area
  • 12% do not support a permanent off-leash dog area
  • 2% did not state their position
 
Objections to the trial were received from three of the sporting bodies who hire the southern section of Timbrell Park, including a petition signed by 130 people.
 
At Council’s Meeting on 4 December 2018, it was resolved:
  • THAT in light of the conflicting views presented by users of Timbrell Park during the trial and consultation period of the alternative Timbrell Park off-leash area, that Council officers re-evaluate the issues raised.
  • THAT Council Officers consult further all users of Timbrell Park and determine an appropriate time to hold another 4 months off-leash trial at the designated site
  • THAT Council Officer provide results of the consultation and trial at Timbrell Park to the community and Council before the end of this financial year for determination.
Yes, the City of Canada Bay’s  Lifetime Responsible Pet Ownership Fact Sheet states it is prohibited for dogs to be on or off-leash on sportsgrounds. Therefore, during the trial, dogs are not permitted on the sports field while the sportsground is in use for organised sport.
The principal objective of the Companions Animal Act 1998 is to provide for the effective and responsible care and management of companion animals.
 
Part 3, Division 1, Section 13 of the Act sets out the responsibilities of owners when they are with their dog/s in a public place
The following offences and their prescribed fine are:
  • Owner has not identified the companion animal as prescribed – not dangerous/menacing/restricted dog = $165.00
  • Companion animal not registered as required – not dangerous/menacing/restricted dog = $275.00
  • Owner of dog not under control in public place = $220.00
  • In charge of dog not under control in public place = $220.00
  • Owner of dangerous dog in prohibited public place = $1,760.00
  • Owner of dog in prohibited public place = $330.00
  • Owner of dog which rushes at/attacks/bites/harasses/chases any person/animal = $550.00
  • Not immediately remove dog faeces from public place = $275.00
  • Dog to be declared dangerous or menacing not under effective control = $1,320.00
Of the over 150 parks and open spaces in the City of Canada Bay, there are currently 21 active sports grounds including Timbrell Park.
Over 5000 community members participate in organised sport at Timbrell Park through the following organisations:
  • Balmain Junior Touch
  • Balmain Senior Touch
  • Football Club Five Dock
  • Inner West Harbour Cricket Association
  • Concord High
  • Rosebank College
  • Five Dock Falcons Baseball Club
 
Personal trainers also hire the eastern side of Timbrell Park.

Please also download the larger version online.

Share your opinions on the suitability of the south-eastern section of Timbrell Park as an off-leash dog area from Tuesday, 18 December 2018 to Wednesday, 17 April 2019, via:

Relevant Information