Dog Friendly Spaces Survey 

Council has released a new survey to assist in developing a Companion Animals Management Plan, which includes a Dog-Friendly Spaces Strategy.

The Dog Friendly Spaces Strategy is intended to achieve the following objectives:

• Balancing Needs: strike a balance between the needs of dog owners and the broader community for accessible and safe public spaces
• Equitable Distribution: identify gaps in off-leash dog areas and ensure fair distribution across our Municipality.
• Future Planning: planning for off-leash areas in alignment with anticipated population growth and trends in dog ownership

Council invites all locals and residents to complete the survey and have their say on the matter. To complete the survey and have your voice heard, follow this link - www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/dogsinpublicspaces

Printed copies of the survey are also available at Councils Customer Service Centre as well as Kiama and Gerringong Libraries.

Manager Environment and Compliance Julie Milevski said the views of our community and those who visit our Municipality were critical in shaping the future of our public spaces for people as well as their furry companions.

"As Australia has one of the highest pet ownership rates in the world, with half of them being dogs, so creating inclusive and enjoyable public spaces for dogs and their owners is an important part of our work as a local council,” Ms Milevski said. 

“To ensure we develop a Dog Friendly Spaces Strategy that meets the needs of our community, whether dog owners or not, we need our community to share their experiences and expectations at the start of this process.”

The survey will remain open until 22 March 2024.