Dear Beagle,
An online petition has been created on Change.org seeking public support to "Change time sharing for people/dogs on Eurobodalla beaches to NSW School Holidays ONLY " The petition page reads: The Eurobodalla Shire Council (ESC) currently has time sharing arrangements in place for some beaches in the Shire. Time share arrangements mean that for those beaches, dogs are prohibited from 1 November to 30 April. That's 6 months of the year!! Great start, but this does NOT serve the ageing tax-paying residents of the Shire, many of whom have mobility issues that make walking during anything other than low tide, very difficult, if not impossible. Unfortunately there are very limited low tide opportunities to walk on the beach between 5pm and 9am during that six month timeframe. Exercise for people AND dogs benefits the entire community. It benefits the physical and mental health of people AND dogs. It creates key bonds between dogs and owners and creates a sense of belonging and community. It helps dogs AND people socialise. It creates healthier and happier environments for everyone. It saves hospitals money by improving the health of the community. We acknowledge that Council view time sharing on applicable beaches as occuring during "peak periods". However, realistically, peak periods for beach use is ONLY during NSW School Holidays. Peak Period is NOT 6 months long from spring through to autumn. Let's be honest, when NSW schools are in, beaches have little or no use. People who own dogs now consider them to be part of their family! PLEASE help make our Shire more pet friendly. PLEASE support a realistic, workable and compassionate time sharing arrangement for both people and dogs on our beaches. One that suits the ratepayers as well as the visitors that are so important to this region. Please support a change in time sharing dates. Scrap the unrealistic and HARSH November to April restrictions and change them to apply ONLY during NSW School Holidays.
This petition will be delivered to Mayor, Eurobodalla Shire Council Mayor Liz Innes
To sign the petition and leave an opinion visit the petition webpage here
