Dogs will have more places to exercise and owners will have more places to socialise under Kiama’s new strategy. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Kiama’s first fenced off-leash area for dogs is finally in the works, with the Jamberoo facility set to be finished later this year after council adopted a new Dog Friendly Spaces Strategy.
Residents and their pets will have more opportunities to engage in safe and social activities within their community with Kiama Municipal Council committing to exploring how dogs fit into open spaces across the local government area.
The strategy was finalised following consultation with the community, and despite there already being a number of off-leash areas and an agility park within the municipality, with more than 9000 pets in the area, there was still a demand.
Forty-seven per cent of survey responses indicated a lack of sufficient off-leash areas, with Jamberoo the most commonly identified location.
“A common theme from the survey and from previous correspondence to council indicated that there is a strong desire for an off-leash area in Jamberoo,” the strategy details. “Council currently has no dog off-leash area in Jamberoo.
“Currently, council does not provide a fenced dog off-leash area within the municipality.”
The idea was quickly actioned with the southeast corner of the reserve between Churchill Street and Gibson Crescent/Whyalla Road identified as the optimal location for the infrastructure.
Once completed there will be a fenced area split into two sections, with one part 35 metres by 35 metres for larger dogs weighing more than 15 kilograms, and the other part 22 metres by 22 metres for smaller dogs.
There will be a double gated entry and exit for added safety and well-maintained turf as well as drinking bowls and water stations, dog waste bins, shaded areas and bench seating for owners.
Other action items identified in the strategy also include investigating providing an equitable spread of new spaces for off-leash and agility across the municipality, with the potential for a dog pool also being explored.
There will also be investigations and policy implemented about whether dogs should be permitted on sporting fields, and whether they should be allowed on lead on Easts Beach so that owners can access the Kiama Coast Walk.
“Council must navigate the challenge of accommodating the varied needs of different users, including children, cyclists, sports clubs, and dog owners. However, the presence of dogs in these areas can affect the enjoyment of other park users,” the strategy reads. “Therefore, it’s crucial to implement a sustainable, lasting solution to manage the presence of dogs within the open space network effectively.”
The Dog Friendly Spaces Strategy was adopted by council in June after consultation and public exhibition of the draft was released in 2024.
The document outlines short, medium and long-term goals to be carried out over the next decade as Kiama’s residential and pet populations continue to grow.
To view the Dog Friendly Spaces Strategy or stay up to date on the Jamberoo Fenced Off-Leash Area construction, visit the Kiama Council website.
