All parks are assessed against the following DOSP site suitability criteria:
- Profile and Access - The site should be central to the population, accessible to vehicles and pedestrians and be easily seen and known by the community. However, dogs off leash may not be appropriate at high profile sites (due to potential impacts on the site character or other uses).
- Size - The area available for fenced dogs off-leash must be at least 0.5ha in size and the whole site should be at least double this size to allow for other uses, support infrastructure and landscaping.
- Character Suitability - The site must be public open space with an open reserve or park character. The site must not be a sports ground or a natural area.
- Impacts on People - Potential impacts on residents and other reserve users must be minimal, including no risk to children and adults playing sport, walking and cycling, using a play space or pursuing other recreation activities.
- Impacts on Site Character - There should be minimal impact on the visual appeal, landscape and function of the reserve due to the dedication of an off leash area or the inclusion of a fenced dog park. This includes ensuring any potential future enhancements to a reserve for recreation, sport or linear connections are not affected by a dog off leash area.
- Impacts on Natural Environment - Sensitive natural environments should not be impacted on. This includes site with high biodiversity and environmentally sensitive natural watercourses, wetlands and coastal vegetation, endangered ecological communities and threatened species habitat.
To better understand key issues, community needs and priorities for off-leash dog areas, in 2018 City of Newcastle carried out broad community engagement to help inform development of the Dogs in Open Spaces Plan (DOSP).
As part of the engagement program, we consulted with key organisations, sporting groups and park committees, held drop-in information sessions and attended the annual Pups in the Park event. An online survey was also carried out and over 1,000 community members shared their views about dogs in open spaces. Learn more by reading our survey reports.
The draft DOSP was on public exhibition from Monday 28 May 2018 until Monday 27 August 2018, with the final plan being adopted by Council in March 2019. In line with the Council resolution, we are now seeking feedback from the commuity on fenced off-leash areas at Lambton Park and alternative locations within the area for consideration.