Dogs will be prohibited from part of the Centenary Park West foreshore in Wilson after the City of Canning completes the required public notice process, while plans for a fenced dog park at Ferndale Park in Ferndale will move to the next stage following council decisions.
Councillors unanimously voted at the July 21 meeting to prohibit dogs, whether on or off leash, from the foreshore area, including entering the Canning River west and south of the shared path at Centenary Park West.
The decision followed community consultation, which found 68 per cent of respondents supported prohibiting dogs from the foreshore. Many cited the need to protect native vegetation, wildlife and habitat.
The City said the prohibition will come into effect after Council’s resolution has been implemented and the required seven-day public notice period has been completed.
City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall said public notification had already been issued through several channels.
“Consultation respondents have been contacted directly, the Your Say page has been updated, public notices are displayed at City libraries, information has been published on the City’s website, and social media communication,” he said.
“Eight permanent signs are currently being installed at key access points around the foreshore.”
According to the council report, the foreshore forms part of Bush Forever Site 333 and contains two threatened ecological communities. The City has carried out revegetation works in the area since 2021 to complement those ecological communities and support local flora and fauna.
Council also agreed to progress planning for a fenced off-leash dog park at Ferndale Park by requesting a concept design and cost estimate. The proposal will be considered as part of the 2027-28 annual budget process.
Mayor Hall said no decision had been made to fund or build the dog park.
“The completed concept and cost estimate will inform Council’s consideration of the proposal through the 2027/28 annual budget process. No decision has been made to fund or construct the dog park at this stage,” he said.
He said the design work would consider the proposed location, protection of mature trees and wildlife habitat, seasonal inundation, the relationship with nearby sporting and play facilities, parking, noise and the visual impact of fencing.
Community consultation showed strong support for the proposal, with 172 of the 191 submissions supporting a fenced off-leash dog park at Ferndale Park.
Mayor Hall said the City had not yet decided whether a further formal community consultation process would be undertaken once the concept design was completed.
“The concept design and cost estimate will provide Council and the community with more detailed information about the proposed facility before any decision is made to fund construction,” he said.
Mayor Hall said the City’s Dog Spaces Strategy was intended to balance environmental protection with providing suitable places for dog owners to exercise their pets.
“The Dog Spaces Strategy provides a planned network of on-leash, off-leash and fenced dog exercise areas, with sites assessed for suitability and equitable access across the City,” he said.
“This allows environmentally sensitive areas to be protected where dog access may affect native vegetation, wildlife habitat or revegetation, while maintaining well-distributed places where dogs can be exercised safely.”
Council also deferred any decision on changing the off-leash status of Lambertia Creek Park until after it decides whether to proceed with the proposed Ferndale Park dog park.
