It has been three years since the introduction of two legally designated dog off-leash areas – one in Coronet Bay and one in Corinella.

The Coronet Bay dog off-leash zone is approximately 300 metres in length and the larger Corinella dog off-leash zone is reduced by almost half at high tide. For more info please go to www.facebook.com/groups/LETOURDOGSRUN

It has become apparent, with the recent issue of a large number of official warnings and some fines given to normally law-abiding citizens, that these two designated off-leash spaces are insufficient.

This is significant, given that the expansive beach stretching from the new boat ramp in Coronet Bay to Beach Street in Corinella is a distance of approximately 2.5 kms. It provides enough space to be enjoyed safely by all beach users.

We, the residents and ratepayers of Coronet Bay, Corinella, nearby Waterline towns and visitors to these towns, respectfully petition the Bass Coast Shire Council to undertake community consultation on the following suggestions to improve the dog off-leash zones in Corinella and Coronet Bay:

1. Retain the Corinella shared horse/dog off-leash zone (currently from Hughes Street to O’Connor Road)

2. Establish a new dog-off leash zone between O’Connor Road and Norsemens Road

3. Retain the current, dog off-leash small area on the Coronet Bay beach

4. Expand designated off-leash areas for Coronet Bay so restrictions don’t apply when beaches are largely empty, outside the peak times of Christmas, New Year and Easter public holidays, 9am-6pm (similar to current off-leash restrictions for Inverloch).