Hastings Council recognises the need and benefits of dog owners and their animals to be able to access and utilise public open space areas such as parks, reserves, foreshores and beaches. Council also needs to take account of the other users of such areas.
With this in mind, Council endeavours to provide a range of use opportunities for dog owners and their animals. There are, however, certain conditions/restrictions on the use of certain areas.
The access and use requirements for public open space are as follows:
Beaches Where Dogs Are Prohibited
Dogs are NOT permitted on the following beach areas at any time:
- North Shore Beach, adjacent to Corrilla Estate residences
- Town Beach, Port Macquarie
- Flynns Beach, Port Macquarie
- Shelly Beach, Port Macquarie
- Miners Beach, Port Macquarie
- Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie
(from Tacking Point to Watonga Rocks) - Cathie Beach, Lake Cathie
(from Dirah Street Beach access to Molong Street Beach access) - Rainbow Beach, Bonny Hills
(from Duchess Creek South) - Bartletts Beach, Bonny Hills
- Grants Beach, North Haven
(from Northern end of Surf Club car park to the breakwall) - Pilots Beach, Dunbogan
- Dunbogan Beach, south of Beach Street access
Beaches Where Dogs at Permitted on a Leash
Dogs ARE permitted on the following beach areas at any time, however they MUST be leashed and under effective control at all times:
- Oxley Beach, Port Macquarie
- Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie
(from Watonga Rocks to Matthew Flinders Drive four wheel drive beach access point) - Cathie Beach, Lake Cathie
(Molong Street beach access point to Middle Rock) - Rainbow Beach, Bonny Hills
(from Duchess Creek north for a distance of 200m) - Grants Beach, North Haven
(from Surf Club car park north for a distance of 200m) - Dunbogan Beach, Dunbogan
(from Camden Haven to Seaview Avenue beach access point).
Beaches Where Dogs are Permitted Unleashed
Dogs are permitted on these beaches unleashed at any time:
- Nobby's Beach, Port Macquarie
- North Shore Beach
(from southern end of Corilla Housing Estate to Point Plomer 4WD access track) - Lighthouse Beach, Port Macquarie
(from 4WD access track south to Dirah Street access, Lake Cathie) - Middle Rock, Bonny Hills
(from 4WD access track south to 200m north of Duchess Creek, Bonny Hills) - North Haven Beach
(from 200m north of surf club car park to Grants Head) - Dunbogan Beach
(from Seaview Ave beach access point south to Beach Street access point)
Council encourages unleashed activities in the above areas, however it is important that dog owners using these areas comply with the following requirements as these beach areas are used by other persons and consideration and care is needed:
- Dogs MUST be under control and supervised at all times when in leashfree areas.
- Children should be accompanied by an adult.
- Female dogs on heat should be left at home.
Exemption for Guide Dogs
Guide dogs may be exercised unleashed on any dog-permitted beach area.
The Future of Leash-free Areas
Council acknowledges the need for some park-based leash-free areas. Over the coming years, Hastings Council will allocate park-based areas in Port Macquarie, Wauchope and Laurieton where people can exercise their dogs leash-free.
