Seeking feedback on dog walking at Mornington Peninsula National Park

Thursday 4 October, 2012

Parks Victoria is seeking feedback from the community on options to further restrict dog walking in the Mornington Peninsula National Park.  

Chief Ranger Libby Jude said Parks Victoria was seeking community feedback following numerous reports of dog attacks and threats to local wildlife.

“There are 32 fauna species listed as endangered, vulnerable or near threatened living in the Mornington Peninsula National Park,” said Ms Jude. “We need to protect them.”

“There are obvious health benefits for people walking their dogs, and there remain many areas on the Mornington Peninsula where people can do just that.  However, within the national park it is an activity that needs to be carefully managed in the interests of protecting local wildlife.”

Options for consideration include:

1) A seasonal ban for the whole park where dogs are currently permitted

2) Restricting dogs to designated visitor sites and adjacent beach areas

3) A seasonal ban in selected areas

4) A total ban for the whole park.

“Currently, dogs are not allowed in the majority of Victoria’s 46 national parks, and in the few exceptions where dogs are allowed, they must be on a leash at all times and walked in areas set aside for dogs.”

“The evidence shows that despite on-going efforts by rangers to educate dog walkers and enforce the regulations, there continues to be very high levels of non-compliance with the 9.00am limit and on-leash rules” said Ms Jude.  

“Some of the species under threat from dogs include the beach-nesting Hooded Plover and small mammals such as the White-footed Dunnart and the Long-nosed Bandicoot.”

“There have also been recorded cases of wallabies being chased by dogs in the park, which in one instance resulted in the wallaby falling from a cliff and drowning. “

People wishing to contribute their comments to the review can obtain a copy of the discussion paper by contacting Parks Victoria on 13 1963, or go to Have Your Say.

Submissions need to be received by 30 November 2012.

Background:

Under the Mornington Peninsula National Park Management Plan 1998, on-leash dog walking is currently permitted between sunrise and 9am daily in the following areas:

• between London Bridge and 300 metres east of Gunnamatta Surf Life Saving Clubhouse (except for a section of the Portsea Surf Beach where dogs are prohibited from November to April inclusive); and
• along the Flinders coastal section between West Head and Stockyard Creek (except within the Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary area)