Area allocated for dogs at Colac Central Reserve
Published on 28 May 2018
Area allocated for dogs at Colac Central Reserve
Colac Otway Shire Council has installed new signs showing where dogs are allowed at Colac’s Central Reserve.
The hockey fields will be designated as a dog friendly area, while use of Central Reserve’s premium surface will be restricted to people only.
The change comes in response to feedback from community members and Central Reserve’s key user groups about the need to protect Colac Otway Shire’s premier sporting facility.
General Manager of Infrastructure and Leisure Services Tony McGann said dogs were welcome at Central Reserve, however it wasn’t appropriate to allow dogs onto the main sporting ground.
“We’re asking people using the facility to ensure their dogs stay off the main sports ground. Dogs are encouraged to run on other parts of the recreation reserve however its important owners have control of their pets so as to not have a negative impact on others using the facility,” Mr McGann said.
Long-term Central Reserve Committee member and Colac Dog Obedience Club Secretary Terry Stephens said Council had done a great job with what they’ve achieved at Central Reserve.
“The Council have done a lot of work; some people don’t appreciate what they have and allowed their dogs to run everywhere. Dog owners need to be more responsible and keep control of their dogs and pick up after them.
“The sporting facility is one of the best in Victoria and people don’t appreciate the work that has gone into getting the facility to this stage. It’s a good idea to keep the dogs off the main oval because so much work has gone into it,” she said.
“So many people use the Central Reserve facility, the soccer, little athletics and junior footballers; the dog club’s been using it for 15 years.”
Central Reserve Committee member and Colac Otway Rovers Soccer Club Secretary Sam Hare said it would be great to have the signs displaying where dogs need to be on a leash.
“People let their dogs off and let them go, and before every training session on Wednesday and Friday we have to scoop up the dog poo to make sure the kids don’t step in anything. One out of ten dogs would be on a lead but the majority of the dogs are allowed to run all over the reserve and on the main oval.
“Two or three people also let their dogs off the lead when we have a training session and some of the kids are scared of the dogs. People with dogs need to be a bit more respectful of others when using the facility,” she said.
Mr McGann asked community members to consider all users when walking their dog at Central Reserve and take notice of the new signs showing where dogs are allowed.
He said it was important dog owners keep their dogs to the areas indicated and clean up after their pets.
“We’re also asking people to clean up after their dogs because they can incur a fine if they don’t; this ensures all recreation reserve users can have an enjoyable experience,” he said.