It is hard to tell who is more thrilled about the announcement of funding for an off-leash dog park for Beaudesert – dog owners, Division Four Councillor Jennifer Sanders or the dogs themselves.
“I am so excited to announce Council’s commitment to funding $100,000 for an off leash dog park in Beaudesert,” Cr Sanders said.
“It has been a long time coming! When I was a councillor in 2012 I pushed for it and we didn’t get it.”
“One of the first things I asked for when I got back in was whether we could possibly, possibly fund an off-leash dog park and the answer was yes!”
She said the location, in Lions Bicentennial Park, is perfect, especially with parkrun now held close by.
“Every so often you have a win and this one I consider a really great thing for my community.”
The funding was not in the budget until after the local government elections in March when newly elected councillors reviewed the figures.
Local resident Suzette Chisholm has been advocating for an off-leash dog park for almost ten years and said news of the funding has made her week.
She wrote letters to Scenic Rim Regional Council and started a Paws in the Park for Beaudesert Facebook page to also assess support for a dog park.
“I actually closed the Facebook page and gave up a little while ago, I just felt like I was banging my head against a wall. Council kept coming back saying ‘there’s no funding’.”
Suzette often takes her dog, Scruffy to dog parks around South East Queensland, including Flagstone, Tamborine Mountain and Logan.
“It’s great for socialisation for the dogs and for people as well. I’ve met a lot of people from going to dog parks.”
“Dog parks are good for the older generation as well, because sometimes it is hard for them to walk their dogs, but they can sit and the dogs can let off steam.”
She thanked the Mayor, Tom Sharp, and Councillors for their vision and for listening to the community.
“With dog ownership increasing, it is great to see the Council investing in a place where the community can come together.”
Local resident Sarah Playford is looking forward to the dog park.
She has an older dog as well as a younger, more active dog.
“The older dog will be able to go at his own pace and the younger one can have a good run around,” she said.
Portfolio Councillor for Parks Gardens and Open Spaces, Amanda Hay, said Beaudesert dog park design would be based on the design of the recently opened dog park in Boonah.
“There are many benefits to dogs and owners,” she said.
“It presents greater opportunities to exercise and socialise, and provides mental stimulation for the dogs.”
“We’ve allowed $100,000 in the budget for this but I’m hopeful we might achieve under budget given that we are basing it on the Boonah model.”
“It is good and it is nice to be able to satisfy an identified need in the community.”
Cr Hay said with the dog park comes responsibilities for owners to have their dogs registered, well-behaved and to clean up after their dogs when in the park.
A Council spokesperson said project planning is underway, but there is no confirmed start or completion dates at this stage.
