Two potential sites identified

Shellharbour City Council is asking the community for feedback n=on two potential sites for dog friendly beaches.

Following consideration and assessment by Council's planning, management and regulation teams, two potential sites were identified - Shellharbour North Beach and Kiyong Beach, at the eastern end of Reddall Reserve.

Dog owners are a key user group of Shellharbour City's open spaces, with almost 30,000 dogs living in the local government area.

Shellharbour Mayor Councillor Marianne Saliba said that striking a balance for all beach users was important.

"Dog friendly spaces are a great place for dogs and owners to spend quality time together and facilitate opportunities for socialization and exercise," Cr Saliba said.

"We know that the community has strong views when it comes to allowing dogs on beaches. Consultation with residents is paramount to any decision Council ultimately makes, so I encourage people to share their feedback with us," Cr Saliba said.

Shellharbour City has approximately seven kilometres of coastline. This is mostly fringed by rocky headlands, environmentally sensitive areas, pubic reserves and urban development including car parks and housing.

"This means that the actual space for recreation on the sand is quite limited. Our challenge is to plan and manage these spaces with all users in mind," she said.

Council is encouraging the community to share their thoughts and provide feedback on the potential beach areas for dogs.

To share your feedback on the proposed sites, visit Let's Chat: www.letschatshellharbour.com/proposed-dog-friendly-beach-areas

Media enquiries: Kelli Wells 0448 361 008