We call on Merri-bek Council to relocate the new fence at Tate Reserve from the upper path to the middle path — the option recommended by Council’s own Open Space Team in the Dog Walking in Merri-bek report (July 25).

The fence has been put in place for six months to protect a restoration area but has failed on the upper path due to vandalism. Moving it to the middle path will still keep dogs out of the revegetation and bush kinder areas while providing safer access for all park users.

How You Can Help

1. Sign this petition urging Council to place the fence along the middle path. Do not donate money please. We haven't added an account for this petition and so any money donated will just go to change.org.

2. Submit feedback via Merri-bek Council’s consultation site (registration required):

https://conversations.merri-bek.vic.gov.au/dog-walking/tate-reserve

Why This Matters

•  Safety: The fence on the upper path funnels all users — dog walkers, runners, cyclists, families, prams, and people with mobility needs — onto a single narrow track, creating congestion, accidents, and an unpleasant “superhighway.”
• Trial failure: The fence has failed to contain dogs, created safety hazards, reduced access to open space, and divided the community.
• Ignored community input: Nearly 900 petition signatures were disregarded. At the July 9 Council meeting, a last-minute amendment overruled both Open Space Team recommendations and the wishes of petitioners.
• Fair compromise exists: The middle path protects ecology, maintains safe and fair access, is less likely to be vandalised, and can still provide a controlled dog-free space for the trial.
• Proven history: For over 40 years, Tate Reserve has successfully functioned as a shared open space without restrictive fencing.

Background

• What began as a request for Council to formally acknowledge that Tate Reserve has operated as an off-leash area for more than 40 years has now become a matter of safety, fairness, and access.
• The current fence corrals most visitors onto a single narrow path, creating congestion, safety risks, and an unpleasant “superhighway,” undermining the park’s peaceful, open character. 
• Despite repeated attempts to engage Council, the community has largely been ignored.
• The Open Space Team’s consultation, part of the Open Space Strategy, covered nine pilot sites, including Tate Reserve. With population growth and increased pet ownership, the need is for more open space, not less.
• Although not ideal, the middle path compromise was supported by many regular users and recommended by Council’s Open Space Team.
• On July 9, Councillors passed a last-minute amendment to install the fence along the upper path, overruling expert advice and bypassing further community consultation.