UPDATE: PLEASE SIGN THE OFFICIAL WEYBA RESIDENTS PETITION INSTEAD:

Thank you so much to everyone who has supported this petition.

To help keep community support unified and avoid splitting signatures across multiple petitions, supporters are encouraged to now sign the primary petition, started by Weyba residents, here:

https://c.org/BWhd4S4CDX

Apologies for the added step we know your time is precious. Both petitions were started independently on the same day without knowledge of each other, and it appears only one can formally be submitted to Council under the petition rules. The Weyba residents petition is the best vehicle for this and desperately needs your signature.

Thank you again for helping raise awareness of the issue and supporting responsible community on-leash dog access to the Weyba foreshore trails. It is hugely appreciated. Woof.

The Sunshine Coast Council has decided (with minimal clear public consultation) to remove access for dogs, even when on leash, from the Weyba Foreshore walking trails. This decision unfairly impacts responsible dog owners who have used these trails safely and respectfully for the past year since new paths were put in, and many, legally, for years before that.

Importantly, this is not about off-leash dogs. Many of us specifically choose these trails because they have been one of the few peaceful, safe places where dogs could be walked on leash, away from the chaos and stress that can occur in off-leash areas.

For many local residents, especially those living around Weyba, Doonan and surrounding communities, these trails are part of daily life. People walk there quietly with their dogs every day, causing no harm to wildlife, other walkers or the environment. It is a place where we connect with each other and nature.

The loss of these trails will have a real impact on:

• older residents,
• people with anxious or reactive dogs,
• those who cannot safely use off-leash parks,
• and locals who value calm nature walks with their dogs on leash. 
  
  We support protecting the environment and wildlife. But a blanket ban on responsible on-leash walking is not a balanced solution.

We are asking Sunshine Coast Council to:

• reverse the decision to ban dogs on leash from the Weyba Foreshore trails,
• consider a balanced management approach instead,
• and engage in meaningful consultation with the community affected by this decision.
  
  Responsible dog owners should not lose access to one of the region’s few safe and peaceful on-leash walking areas.

Please sign this petition to help protect fair and reasonable on-leash access to the Weyba Foreshore trails.