Quota Memorial Park already has an off-leash dog area, but it is unfenced and limited to one section of the park. Recently, local dog owners have reported receiving fines when their dogs have moved outside the designated area.

This is particularly concerning because the current on-the-spot fine for having a dog off-leash in an on-leash area is $863.

For an unfenced dog exercise area where the boundary may not always be obvious to people actually using the park, we believe this is a significant penalty and highlights the need for a clearer and more practical approach.

We are asking Sunshine Coast Council to allow dogs under effective control to be exercised off-leash in appropriate areas of Quota Memorial Park before 8:00am and after 4:00pm.

This would not remove normal responsible dog ownership rules. Dogs would still need to remain under effective control, owners would still be required to clean up after them, and dogs would remain excluded from playgrounds, BBQ areas and other designated dog-free areas.

Time-based off-leash access already operates at other Sunshine Coast locations. We believe introducing similar hours at Quota Memorial Park would:

provide a clear and easy-to-understand rule;
reduce confusion caused by an unfenced off-leash boundary;
allow residents to safely exercise and socialise their dogs;
preserve the busiest daytime hours for general park use; and
provide a fair balance for all park users.
We are asking Council to work with the Nambour community and introduce designated off-leash hours at Quota Memorial Park: before 8:00am and after 4:00pm.