Off leash areas

When taking your dog for a walk, it must be kept on a leash at all times except in a designated 'off-leash area'. As part of the new Companion Animals Act 1998, Council has now provided a place for dog owners to exercise their pets in a leash free environment. In these areas, dogs may be exercised off-leash provided that owner of the dog:

• is a competent person 16 years of age or older;
• has effective control at all times by voice command or other means (it is not considered effective control when one person is walking more than four dogs);
• all dogs are leashed on leaving the area;
• removes and places all dog droppings in a suitable bag and disposed of in an appropriate rubbish bin.

Off-leash areas are not to be used by:

• restricted dog breeds;
• dogs declared as dangerous; or
• dogs suffering from contagious disease, skin irritations or parasitic infections.

Off-leash areas are located at:

• Bellambi Boat Ramp - Bellambi
• Coniston Beach - Wollongong
• Eleebana Reserve - Koonawarra
• Figtree Park - Figtree
• King George V Park - Port Kembla 
• Little Austinmer Beach - Austinmer
• McCauleys Beach - Thirroul
• MM Beach - Port Kembla
• Perkins Beach - Windang 
• Proud Park - Helensburgh
• Riley Park - Unanderra 
• Sharkeys Beach - Coledale

Signage and dropping bins with dispensers will be installed in all areas.

To learn more about the new animal laws, view the new Companion Animal Act 1998 document.

Prohibited area for all dogs, even on a leash: 

• Within 10 metres of any playing apparatus in a children's play area
• Within 10 metres of any food preparation/human consumption areas except if the place is a public thoroughfare
• Recreation areas - meaning any public place, provided or set apart by a local authority for public recreation or the playing of organized games
• Public bathing areas - including beaches, rock pools, pools, marine & freshwater swimming pools
• School grounds - except with permission of school
• Child care centres  - except with permission of the child care centre
• Shopping areas/shopping arcade - except secured in a vehicle, with permission of person controlling the place or for the purpose of being taken to/from a pet shop or vetinary practioner. 
• Any Wildlife protection areas set apart by Council for the protection of wildlife 
• This does  not apply  to:   
  • Police dogs
  • assistant animals being used bona fide by a person with a disability to assist that person 

Please remeber, there is a TOTAL BAN for dogs on beaches, rock pools other than Off-Leash Areas

If your dog defecates while out in a public place, be sure to clean up any mess and dispose of it thoughtfully.