Leash Free Areas
Leash Free Parks Locations
Elliott Reserve, located along the Cooks River where it runs from Elliott Street, Belfield (Main Entrance opposite Bark Huts Reserve) to Punchbowl Road. Elliott Reserve links up to the Bay to Bay Walk / Cycleway which runs along the opposite side of the river past Southend Tennis Centre and Ford Park. Note: Dogs are banned in this park when the area contains a circus.
Council deemed this park suitable as it contains a large open space area that is not designated for organised sports or used as picnic or barbecue grounds and are clear from children’s playgrounds.
Allen Street Reserve
Allen Street Reserve is located along Powells Creek at Homebush. The off leash area is 1.3m long and fully fenced, with double gates, dog agility equipment, seating and drinking water for dogs.
Bressington Park is located on Underwood Road in Homebush. The entire park was upgraded in 2018 with new playing fields, a new amenity block and substantial planting. The off leash area is at the front of the park and is fully fenced with seating and trees.
Conditions of using leash free areas
Dogs must be supervised by a competent adult and kept under effective control at all times.
- You may not bring any more than four (4) dogs into the leash free park at any one time.
- The owner of a dog is responsible for that animal’s actions while in leash free parks and public areas, not council.
- Please ensure you remove all dog litter. Council provides bays and bins in leash free parks to assist in this. Failure to remove dog litter (faeces) in public place and properly dispose is offence that has a penalty of $880. It can attracts an on-the-spot fine of $275 (pursuant to s 20 of Companion Animals Acts 1998 and sch 1 of Companion Animals Regulation 2008).
- Ensure that when travelling to or from leash free parks and while walking your dog on public land (other than designated leash free parks), you keep your dog leashed at all times. Failure to keep your dog leashed on public land (other than designated leash free areas) is an offence that has a penalty of $1,100 for dog other than dangerous and restricted dog, and $11,000 for dangerous and restricted dog. It can attract an on the spot fine of $220 (for dog other than dangerous and restricted dog) and $1,760 for dangerous and restricted dog (pursuant to s 13(2) of Companion Animals Acts 1998 and sch 1 of Companion Animals Regulation 2008).
- Ensure that your dog is registered and permanently identified (micro-chipped), it is an offence to not have your animal registered and permanently identified from the time it is 6 months old that has a penalty of $880 and $5,500 for dangerous or restricted dog. It can attract an on the spot fine of $165 for the offence and $1,320 for dangerous or restricted dog.(pursuant to s 9(1) of Companion Animals Acts 1998 and sch 1 of Companion Animals Regulation 2008).
- Dangerous dogs must be kept leashed and muzzled while on public land at all times (even when in leash free parks) and controlled by an adult over the age of 18 years (maximum penalty $5500). It can attract an on the spot fine of $1,320 (pursuant to s 36(1) of Companion Animals Acts 1998 and sch 1 of Companion Animals Regulation 2008)
Dog Litter (faeces)
Dog litter is one of the major causes of pollution to our waterways. After rain, 50% of bacteria in the stormwater system that concern public health are from dog faeces. The nutrients also contained in the dog poo affect aquatic plants and wildlife in our creeks, rivers & harbour where they also encourage algal blooms (including poisonous blue green algae). Nutrients from dog litter also threaten bushland encouraging weed growth and killing native vegetation.
Dog litter bacteria is also a health concern where dog litter is stepped in and is then walked through your house, shopping centres, cars and public facilities posing the greatest health threat to children and the elderly.
Council has provided dog litter bags at these leash free areas, please use them and dispose of them thoughtfully. Remember to help keep our environment beautiful and healthy by taking a pooper-scooper or plastic bag (ordinary shopping bag) to dispose of your dogs’ litter in a bin.
