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Your Voice Gawler

Dog On and Off Leash Areas

The introduction and development of proposed on and off leash areas has been given considerable thought and has been driven by the outcomes of the Dog’s in Gawler Report, community engagement and the Town of Gawler’s Animal Management Plan 2012 – 2017 key strategies for on leash areas.

Council is now seeking feedback on the introduction of the proposed on and off leash areas.

Click HERE to see a geographic aerial map of the Town of Gawler showing all parks and reserves across the Town of Gawler identifying proposed on and off leash areas. Additionally, detailed aerial maps of individual reserves and the spreadsheet of each reserve titled "Proposed - On and Off Leash Leash Areas and Signs Required" are also included.

The introduction of widespread changes across the Town of Gawler will offer options for on and off leash and shared use of parks and reserves. These changes have been proposed to seek a satisfactory outcome for both dog owners and non-dog owners.

You can make an online submission or ask a question via the tabs below. Alternatively, written submissions can be sent to: Team Leader Environment and Regulatory Services, Town of Gawler, PO Box 130, Gawler SA 5118.

Hard copies of the information sheets are available at the Council Customer Service points and the Library. For further information please contact: Jack Darzanos, Team Leader Environment and Regulatory Services on 8522 9211 or council@gawler.sa.gov.au

Consultation closes 5pm on 18 March 2018.

Maps per Area

Q & A
David C from Gawler East asked
Will there be times that dogs will be allowed to be off leash in the leashed areas such as the same as the metropolitan coast line where dogs have to be back on their leash after 10 o'clock . I walk our dog early in the morning and late in the evening in one of these proposed leashed areas and majority of the people I see are walking Dogs.
Hi David, thank you for your question. This is a great idea and an option for further consideration.
Noel E from Evanston Park asked
In making my submission on off leash areas I would like to know why an area such as Goose Island would not be an off leash area? I occasionally walk through there and the only dog I have seen is mine! This would make an ideal area (to the west of the pathway) for a central off-leash area, as due the it being flood prone, it is unsuitable for any permanent structure, but could be used as a park and on/off leash area. Please note I missed the box for submitting my submission to the website, so please publish it.
Hi Noel, thank you for your suggestion. Definitely a good idea and one that will be included in further discussions.
sue M from Gawler East asked
Where an area is not specifically identified as an on lead area, will the existing signs remain that indicate a dog may be off the leash if under effective control?
Hi Sue, Council will look into signage following the completion of the consultation. Some existing signs in off lead areas may be suitable and some may be replaced due to age or being difficult to read.
Mary M from Gawler South asked
Please could you provide me with the following information: 1. How many dogs were registered with Gawler Town Council (FY 2016-2017)? 2. How many ratepayers were living in the Gawler Town Council area (FY2016-2017)? 3. How many dog attacks were reported to Gawler Town Council (FY2016-2017)? 4. Of the dog attacks reported to Gawler Town Council (FY2016-2017) How many occurred in council regulated parks and reserves? 5.Of the dog attacks reported to Gawler Town Council (FY2016-2017) that occurred in council regulated parks and reserves, How many involved dogs on leash and How many involved dogs off leash? 6. Of the dog attacks reported to Gawler Town Council (FY2016-2017) that occurred in council regulated parks and reserves and involved dogs on leash and off leash, what were the impacts of the attacks, eg what injuries, to whom ? Thank you
Hi Mary, thank you for your questions. Responses are as follows.1.4731 2. 16,635 rateable properties with approximately 22,618 people living in the Local Government Area. 3. There were 45 dog attacks reported to Gawler Council in 2016/17 4. Seven 5. All reported attacks were by dogs off-leash. 6. Dog attacks included a number of different types of incidents reported to Council for investigation. Unfortunately, Council cannot provide the specific case by case investigation carried out due to confidentiality. Council, however can advise that some of the types of attacks that its Animal Management Officers have investigated include: 1. Dog attacks on other dogs resulting in bites requiring veterinary intervention; 2. Dogs biting pedestrians on the legs requiring medical attention; 3. Serious bog attacks on children resulting in bites on hands requiring medical treatment; 4. Dog walkers being attacked and their dogs being severely mauled; 5. Walker being bitten on leg requiring medical attention; 6. Child attacked and bitten on hand.
Mary M from Gawler South asked
On page 4 of The Bunyip published 21 Feb 2018 . Ms Redman - Mayor is quoted as stating "" There has been new legislation to the Dog and Cat Management Act which enforces dogs to be on-leash on footpaths and shared paths..." Please could you refer me to the relevant legislation.
Hi Mary, thank you for your question.The legislation requirement for dogs to be on-leash when on footpath and shared paths already exist in the Dog and Cat Management Act 1995. Further “new” amendments to this Act are due out on 1 July 2018. All Councils are waiting for the these new amendments to be released. In respect to the current controls applicable, Section 7 of the Dog and Cat Management Act state in relations to Dogs Wandering at Large, when a dog must be on leash. E.g. — 7 – Dog wandering at large (1) For the purposes of this Act, a dog will be taken to be wandering at large while— (a) the dog is in a public place (other than a park) or a private place without the consent of the occupier, and no person is exercising effective control of the dog by means of physical restraint; or (b) the dog is in a park and no person is exercising effective control of the dog either— (i) by means of physical restraint; or (ii) by command, the dog being in close proximity to the person and the person being able to see the dog at all times. (2) However a dog will not be taken to be wandering at large while— (a) the dog is being used in the droving or tending of stock or is going to or returning from a place where it will be, or has been, so used; or (b) the dog is being trained for, or participating in, an organised activity being a race, trial, class or show or in retrieving, hunting or other sporting exercise customarily involving the running of one or more dogs; or (c) the dog is in a vehicle. Public Place includes all public areas and means a place to which the public has access (whether an admission fee is charged or not). Shared paths e.g. footpaths not located within a park or reserve would be deemed a public place an hence a dog must be physically restrained . A person is exercising effective control of a dog by means of physical restraint is defined as: (a) the person is exercising effective control of the dog by means of a chain, cord or leash that does not exceed 2 metres in length restraining the dog; or (b) the person has effectively secured the dog— (i) by placing it in a cage, vehicle or other object or structure; or (ii) by tethering it to a fixed object by means of a chain, cord or leash that does not exceed 2 metres in length.
Caitlin H from Gawler East asked
What is the driving motivation for specific on-leash and off-leash areas? Has there been an increase in dog attacks occurring in public parks? How reliable is the data that has been collected? Isn't it more likely for dog attacks to occur on private properties? Has council considered that public sites may be over-represented in dog attack data since victims might not want to admit to being bitten at private residences, at risk of getting friends in trouble or incriminating themselves in illegal activity?
Hi Caitlan, Thank you for your questions.Council has identified through its strategic documents such as the Community Plan and Animal Management Plan the importance of public spaces such as parks and reserves to be places available to all residents and visitors to Gawler. Council's aims are to provide areas suitable for health and recreation that can provide spaces for people who walk, run, cycle, play and walk their dog. The aim is to achieve a happy medium for all users of Gawler's parks and reserves.In relation to dog attacks, Councils Animal Management Officers investigate dog attacks in the Town of Gawler under the Dog and Cat Management Act. Over the last 3 years Council has investigated approximately 130 dog attacks. On average about 40 dog attacks per year. The majority of attacks were in public spaces and were a combination of dog on dog and dog on person, all reported attacks were by dogs off leash. When attacks are investigated statements collected from victims and owners alike must be truthful as penalties and or prosecution may be possible.
Caitlin H from Gawler East asked
Why has council proposed that parks be entirely on-leash or off-leash, rather than shared sites with time restrictions (for example, on-leash 9AM-6PM and off-leash all other times)? Why not allow dogs to be exercised off-leash at certain times, as is the case in Prospect? Why is the closest off-leash area so far away for residents in central Gawler, who generally have smaller properties and thus are in greater need of off-leash areas?
Hi Caitlan,Great idea, very inclusive of all people using Gawler's parks and reserves. Definitely an idea that council will be considering.
Lindsay J from Gawler East asked
The document which list the number and types of signs indicates that Dead Man's Pass is both a Leash on and Leash off area on a time share basis. What does this mean? I can't find any information that explains what this means, and for example what times and what areas of Dead Man's Pass does this apply to?
Hi Lindsay, The maps are a guide and represent the current iterations of the On and Off Leash Areas provided to the community for further comment and feedback. The maps and pdf’s are as adopted by Council throughout the engagement process that has been ongoing for quite some time. Council has been transparent at all levels e.g. resident workshop and community engagement, Council committee reports, master plans and concept plans and media articles. A further report, detailing the outcomes of this community consultation process will be provided to Council for further consideration. The maps and pdf’s are not final and will be reviewed once all comments and feedback is received at Council. The maps should be considered as a catalyst for further comments and suggestions by the people that use these areas.