The Eurobodalla Shire Council (ESC) has time sharing arrangements in place for dogs on allocated beaches in the Shire. These time share arrangements CURRENTLY mean that for those beaches, dogs are prohibited between 1st November to 30th April from 9am to 5pm. That's 6 months of the year!! 

We understand that Council want time share arrangements during "peak periods". However, all residents know that when schools are 'in', beaches really have very little use. Peak periods for beach use is really ONLY during summer school holidays. 

We believe the current restrictions are excessive and do NOT serve the ageing rate paying, VOTING, residents of the Shire, many of whom have mobility issues that make walking during anything other than low tide, very difficult, if not impossible.  It also does not serve busy parents or an increasing number of shiftworkers with dogs.  Restrictions for 6 LONG months of the year is just a NOT fair go.

Exercise for people AND dogs benefits the entire community.   It contributes to community cohesion by bringing local people together, fostering new friendships.  It allows people to socialise their dogs, which in turn reduces barking and problem dogs.  It saves all levels of Government money by improving the health of the community, which in turn, means less people in medical facilities and hospitals.

Times have changed.  People who own dogs now consider them to be part of their family! In recognition of this, other laws are changing to be more pet friendly too. Look at the new strata management rules where you now cannot unreasonably prevent someone from having a pet in a unit. Look at retirement homes where you can now take pets with you. There are now many outdoor bars and cafes that encourage people to bring their furry family member. 

We acknowledge that Council has zoned many areas as dogs prohibited 24/7 because they there are close to environmentally sensitive areas and because some people in our community prefer not to (ever) be near dogs at the beach. However, for the time share beaches, the Eurobodalla Shire Council are NOT giving residents a fair go. 

We respectfully ask that the Mayor and Shire Councillors actually go to the timeshare beaches themselves, at any time of the year when school is "in", and see for themselves just how few (if any) people are on the beach!

We call upon the entire Eurobodalla Shire Council to PLEASE support a more compassionate time sharing arrangement that truly IS only during peak periods.  One that suits the ratepayers as well as the visitors that are so important to this region.  Please change the November to April restrictions of dogs on allocated beaches and change them to apply ONLY during NSW School Holidays.