Hi everyone, In an amazing show of community support, we now have over 500 signatures on the petition to the Cottesloe Council. Thank you all so much for sharing this and getting the word out there so quickly. I just wanted to let you all know that I have since spoken with Councillor Robert Rowell, the committee member of the Cottesloe Council who suggested closing the beach, and this is his reasoning for closing the beach. His first reason was that Swanbourne-Nedlands Council are planning to open a dog beach just next to Vera View. I have since called a Swanbourne-Nedlands councillor who was on the committee to review local dogs laws and she is not aware of this change. As well as this, he said that dog owners are the problem at Vera View and are not responsible for cleaning up after their dogs. I personally have not noticed this issue but I think we can all agree to be more responsible for our dogs if it means the beach can stay open for them. These are the only reasons he gave me. I find it absolutely scary that our beach could be closed just for two minor reasons like this, one of which isn't even fact yet. In order for the council to listen to me tonight, I need to speak on behalf of a Cottesloe ratepayer. If you are planning on attending the meeting tonight, please come see me before (I'll be in a white shirt and stripy skirt) so that we can register before the meeting together. The more people that register, the better our case. Thanks again everyone and I'll send out one final email tonight after the meeting. Fingers crossed!