By SONJA KOREMANS
THERE are plenty of dogs on the Southern Downs – and no off-leash parks.
That’s how it’s going to remain for at least another year.
Southern Downs Regional Council said the facilities are an expense it can’t afford in this year’s budget which is due to be handed down at the end of the month.
For years, local dog owners have raised the need for designated off-leash areas, and where the best sites for such facilities would be.
The issue was unleashed last budget, with council declining – but indicating it may be on the agenda this year.
But SDRC mayor Peter Blundell said the provision of off-leash areas wouldn’t be considered this year either.
“The dog park issue is raised regularly and from a priority point of view, it’s not up there at the moment,“ Cr Blundell said.
“It is an expense and an ongoing maintenance issue. If we create dog parks, it’s not just about putting up a park and a fence and leaving it. The parks need to be maintained and depreciate over time.
“I’m well aware that they are implemented in other areas, but when you are dealing with the sort of debt scenarios that we are, it’s not something that we will be putting high on the list.“
About 2000 dogs are registered in Warwick, with hundreds of warnings issued to owners walking pets off-leash in public areas each year.
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