Queens Beach North is now a permanent 24-hour off-leash dog beach! Moreton Bay Regional Council announced the final decision after analysing survey responses from the community from December 2020 to February 2021.
Effective 1 April 2021, dogs will be allowed to roam free 24 hours, seven days a week. However, this comes with a compromise: a shorter 357 metre stretch of Queens Beach North will be designated as a permanent Dog Off-Leash Area (DOLA).
A reduction of 68 meters from the current trial area is needed to provide a clearer demarcation of the end of the area, and increase the distance from nearby houses.
“The adjusted boundary has moved north of the southern trial limit and has utilised the existing steps onto the beach to provide a physical reference point as well as an access point. Outside of the permanent dog off-leash area, the area south of the steps requires dogs to be on a leash at all times,” Council stated on the website.
It took four years and multiple trials before Council made a decision. During the trial period, dogs were only allowed to roam free on the beach before 8:00 am and after 4:00 pm daily.
During the 10-week consultation period, a total of 2452 residents participated in the survey. Around 77 percent of all the respondents agreed to make Queens Beach North a permanent off-leash dog beach. Council added that it only goes to show that there’s a growing demand for off-leash areas on beaches within the region.
Still, the Council needed to make some arrangements to balance the interests of all residents. They considered legitimate concerns of nearby residents, which includes noise and property impacts.
To ensure patrons are aware of the extents of the area and obligations for use of the facility, Council will install regulatory and advisory signage in the area. Rangers would also patrol the area and issue infringement notices to anyone doing the wrong thing.
Cr Peter Flannery also reminded dog owners to maintain effective control of their pets at all times, even within the DOLA, and dogs must be leashed while walking from vehicle to the DOLA.
