Dogs of Callan Park Need You Again — Submit Your Feedback Today!

Dear Friends, 

A few years ago, your support was instrumental in keeping large areas of Callan Park for off-leash dog walking. 

Today, we need your help again! Greater Sydney Parklands is seeking community feedback on the new plans for Callan Park — and dogs don't appear to be a priority.

How can you help: Please take 5 minutes to complete the two short surveys linked below. We’ve included all the key points you can simply copy and paste into your response.

🕓 Deadline: This Wednesday, 29th October (midnight AEDT).

Together, we can make sure Callan Park stays green, natural, and dog-friendly for everyone.

FIRST SURVEY - Callan Park Plan of Management Survey 
Link to plans for your reference. 

KEY POINTS - you can copy-paste on to the text box at the end of the survey's 1st page, before clicking next:

• The vision must focus on nature, wellbeing, & heritage – Callan Park should remain a green, open, inclusive oasis where people can relax & escape the city.• The PoM over-prioritises sport & ignores the park’s largest daily users – dog walkers & families. Dog walking must be formally listed as unstructured recreation.
• The GSP must fully respect the Companion Animals Management Plan (2022) & provide a budget for dog amenities like water taps & bins.
• The PoM must acknowledge Inner West’s 42% dog ownership & the local 1.7 dogs to 1 child ratio. Dog owners are essential park custodians who provide daily care, safety & surveillance.
• The PoM should prioritise local Inner West residents, not attract large outside crowds. Keep central & upper areas peaceful, green, & off-leash.
• I support protecting Aboriginal & cultural heritage. Callan Point’s beaches must remain shared spaces, including off-leash dogs, while recognising owners help keep them clean & safe.
• Remove redundant buildings only if the land is returned to green open space, not replaced with new hard surfaces or structures.
• “Flexible, shared, multipurpose recreation” (pg 45) must exclude synthetic or hard surfaces. Sports fields must stay natural, shared & accessible when not in use.
• I support cool, green spaces & therefore oppose synthetic or hard surfaces anywhere in the park.
• Sports priorities at Callan Point & The Foreshore (pg 54) must not override freedom of access for walkers & dogs.
• The two sports-based priorities on page 54 could allow synthetic turf expansion under vague “best practice” wording – this must be explicitly ruled out.
• Support protecting & expanding the tree canopy, especially figs & wide-canopy species, with a mix of natives & exotics.
• Oppose removing trees to “reinstate Kirkbride views” – trees give shade, beauty & identity, not obstacles to infrastructure.
• Preserve Balmain Road Green as an essential off-leash dog space when considering any access or entrance changes.
• “Industry best practice” for sports grounds (pg 66) must clearly exclude synthetic turf or hard surfaces & align with new DCCEEW natural turf guidelines.
• The park urgently needs a dedicated on-site manager who understands the community & coordinates daily care.
• Appendix A’s “balance of uses” already gives structured sport 10–12% of the park – that’s enough; it must not increase.
  
  

SECOND SURVEY - Callan Park Access, Movement and Parking Strategy Survey
Link to plans for your reference.

2nd Survey KEY POINTS you can copy paste into the text box at the end of 1st page, before clicking next:

• I oppose the zig-zag shared path (blue dotted line) through the Central Green & Bowling Green. It will destroy trees & effectively end off-leash dog spaces vital to the local community.
• I support the strategic themes on page 3, but the map on page 5 is concerning – shared pedestrian/cycle paths cause constant conflict, as seen on the Bay Run.
• Park roads are unsafe for walkers due to speeding cars. Physical traffic calming (chicanes, shrubs, or speed bumps) must be installed – signage alone isn’t enough. Rangers should be empowered to monitor & fine speeding drivers.
• The 20 km/h park-wide speed limit is welcome, but must be properly enforced to keep all users safe.
• Wharf Road should remain two-way, with a turning circle added so traffic can exit easily rather than being diverted through the park unnecessarily.
• New footpaths should run alongside or replace existing roads. Supply Road should become a separated pedestrian & cycle path, with access only for emergency vehicles.
• “Restricted Parking Areas” should not become a way to charge visitors or limit local community access – unless parking exceeds two hours.
• Balmain Road needs restricted parking to stop it being used as a dumping ground for boats, trailers, and commercial vehicles.

On behalf of our dogs, thank you so much for your help and support. 

The Callan Park Dog Lovers Group