By Victoria Stone-Meadows
Casey Council has unanimously passed a resolution that will see the municipality greatly increase the number of dog friendly spaces at parks and open spaces in the region.
At a council meeting on Tuesday 6 June, council agreed to endorse an updated Dog Friendly Spaces Policy that will see 32 spaces for dogs and their owners established across the area.
There are currently five dog friendly areas in the Casey region with the new policy outlining another nine that are planned for delivery by developers in the growth areas; and 18 proposed to be funded and installed by council.
The 18 new spaces are expected to cost council a total of $1.254 million over 10 years, with each space costing about $75,000 each.
The updated policy and supporting documentation will be put out for public display for four weeks and residents of Casey will have a chance to comment on the policy.
The updated policy and dog friendly spaces plan have been developed in response to more than 30 requests from the community for new or improvements to existing dog friendly spaces.
The new parks and open spaces that will have dog friendly spaces will have to meet certain requirements to be approved by council including:
* Being approximately two hectares in size to allow for a dog friendly space of 0.5 hectares;
* Allow for a buffer zone between the dog friendly space and the rest of the park/open space;
* The dog friendly spaces must be fenced with double gate entry;
* Must have drinking fountains with dog bowls;
* Must have a bin;
* Natural shade included in the landscaping; and
* Seating and signage for the dog park.
The dog friendly spaces that are planned for construction in the next one to four years include spaces in Narre Warren South, Doveton/Endeavour Hills, Berwick North, Hallam, Lynbrook / Lyndhurst, and Hampton Park.
To find out more about the new Dog Friendly Space Policy, call Casey Council on 9705 5200 or visit www.casey.vic.gov.au.
