Animal Bylaw, Dog Policy, and Domestic Animal Policy – contains a proposal relevant to Island Bay beach

HAVE YOUR SAY – Submission deadline is Wednesday 18th October by 5pm

The policy was last reviewed in 2016/2017, this update contains lots of suggestions and anyone can provide feedback on these, irrespective of whether you own animals.

Of particular relevance is the proposal to change dog access on Island Bay beach – moving the dog off-leash area from the west side to the East side with restricted access during summer months.

Deputy Mayor Laurie Foon and Paul Andrews, Manager Parks, Sport and Recreation, came to our committee meeting on 11th October – listen to the discussion around this proposal here, which explains in detail why this was put forward. Full minutes of this meeting can be found in the library on website.

Response to questions submitted to WCC about this proposal:

1. What are the currents like at the beach?  Rips/stronger currents at the western end make this more dangerous for swimming.  Noting also where the platform is. For information on currents, GWRC may be a valuable resource. It’s important to clarify that the proposal doesn’t suggest any restrictions on where people can or cannot swim.
2. Birds nesting at the eastern end – what is there and what impact will this change have?  Are there any penguins at that end? Penguin nest boxes below in blue and natural nests found in the 2021 Dog Survey in Red below, there is no indication of increased risk to birds nesting on the eastern side from the proposed switch. More viable habitat is offered by the dunes though wildlife can often be unpredictable.

3. What is the evidence that the dogs are the problem in relation to the dunes as opposed to tidal impacts etc?  Do you have studies from other beaches that show a benefit?  In particular, any studies done at Lyall bay? To date, no studies have been undertaken to definitively establish the extent to which dogs affect the area compared to tidal impacts, and we acknowledge that multiple variables are at play. Nonetheless, it is observed that dogs do enter the dunes, despite clear prohibitions in place. This is substantiated by reports of dog faeces found on the dunes, as reported by members of the community. Additionally, further damage occurs when well-meaning dog owners try to retrieve their dogs from the dune area.

4. Also, this must have come up as an issue in the preparation of the new proposal, who raised it? This has come up from members of the community and the restoration group. It was one of the first issues that was bought to (my) Cr. Foon’s attention as a new councillor. As we renew the dog policy every 6 years, it was the opportunity to raise it as an issue that we need to look at/ discuss// change with the community. Understanding that protecting native plants, help protect our dunes, to protect our infrastructure is what is at the heart of this proposal. From DOC  on Coastal management principals – New Zealand should seek to protect representative, rare and special marine ecosystems perpetuity within the marine coastal area.From Coastal Restoration Trust – great info and video’s on why we need dune restoration.