Cromwell is about to lose its two off-leash dog-exercise areas on Sandflat Road due to upcoming forestry harvest and potential solar development. The Central Otago District Council has suggested that Alpha Street and Dustin Park in Pisa Moorings are “suitable alternatives”, but these locations are not safe or appropriate replacements, for the following reasons:

• Alpha Street is too small, unfenced and sits directly beside a busy road and high-speed bike traffic, creating significant safety risks for dogs, owners, cyclists and families. An unfenced area next to fast-moving traffic is not a viable off-leash space for most dogs.
• Dustin Park is in another township, is primarily a family/playground reserve, and is not large or designed to support Cromwell’s rapidly growing dog population.
• Neither location provides natural shade or shelter, making them unusable during the extreme heat of Central Otago summers. Without shade, dogs cannot safely exercise, rest, or regulate their body temperature.
• The nearest fenced option, the Clyde dog park, is also unsuitable. The fencing has multiple holes, rabbits frequently run through the area and the park borders the highway, creating a high-risk environment for dogs with prey drive, anxiety or noise sensitivity. For many Cromwell residents, this is not a safe or practical alternative.

With the removal of the Sandflat Road areas and no suitable replacement in Cromwell, our town will be left without any safe, accessible off-leash areas.

We therefore request that the Central Otago District Council:

1. Pause the removal of Cromwell’s existing off-leash areas until a safe alternative within Cromwell is identified
2. Work collaboratively with local residents to select a suitable location, and/or create and/or retain a space that meets basic safety, welfare and usability criteria

We are asking for a space of at least 15 hectares where dogs can exercise off-leash without posing risk to people, traffic, wildlife or livestock and where dogs are not exposed to hazardous heat conditions.

A suitable off-leash area must:

• not border roads or high-speed cycling routes
• not sit beside livestock or wildlife-sensitive areas
• include natural shade or shelter for safe use in Otago’s summer climate
• be at least 5 hectares for healthy dog movement and natural behaviour
• be accessible for everyday Cromwell residents
• be safe for families, children, older adults and all levels of dog experience

Cromwell is one of the fastest-growing towns in Central Otago. Our population, dog registrations and rates contributions continue to rise, yet the availability of safe, shaded dog-exercise space is shrinking.

We, the undersigned, believe Cromwell deserves fair and reasonable access to safe off-leash recreation, as provided for in the Council’s own Dog Control Policy.

Let’s ensure we don’t lose our only usable off-leash space without a safe, local alternative.