Recent discussions and a call for a dog park in Batemans Bay has revealed that many in the community are not aware that this is not a new idea and that attempts during the term of this current council have failed to have the need recognised.
On social media this week the following
"Not all our dogs or owners are able to have their dogs romp on the beach.. it’s about time Eurobodalla Council built a fenced Dog park at Batemans Bay Area to accommodate dog owners who cannot let their dogs run free in an unleashed areas but could also enjoy sitting at a seat in the dog park and watch dogs romp off leash , particularly for our elder community ... so many other Councils have built dog parks for their community Eurobodalla are so way behind the times 😀😀 .... contact Wollondilly Shire Council... they have several in their shire and even provide poo bags and water facilities for the dogs.. they could give you info on how to do it. "
Coral Anderson, a long time campaigner, responded to the post advising that the community in Batemans Bay has been lobbying council for about 20 years for a fenced dog park (or one in each town at least).
"Two petitions with about 1500 signatures were presented to council a couple of years ago, I presented one to Anthony Mayne in November 2016, and a further 250 letters of support signed by businesses was presented to Mayor Liz Innes who commented 'I don't take much notice of petitions, most people don't know what they are signing'. So it went nowhere.
"We suggested that one could be sited down the very western end of Corrigans Reserve - council director Kathy Arthur claimed it would cost about $77,000 - we obtained a quote from as local fencer at about $27,000.
"It went to a full council meeting and our councillors voted it down! Maybe we can get this to be an election issue in 2020. We need some decent councillors in there who actually represent the community and not themselves."
It is clear that the dog park for the wider community of Batemans Bay will be an election issue with Council elections just 10 months away.
