Residents have been left bitterly divided over a new proposal that would see sweeping bans come to council-owned parks and playgrounds across a major coastal local government area.
Fremantle Council in Western Australia is currently debating whether to ban dogs from certain playgrounds and parks, amid rising “friction” between pet owners and other members of the public.
It’s now calling on locals from across the area to weigh in with their thoughts, and has become the latest LGA in Australia to suggest the idea.
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Fremantle Council is considering adding more limits to where people can walk their dogs. Source: City of Fremantle
What’s being proposed in Fremantle?
The proposed rules would see dog exercise prohibited in certain areas, including the conservation zone of Sir Frederick Samson Park, Prawn Bay, Rocky Bay Reserve, the Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre grounds, and anywhere within five metres of playgrounds and play spaces, PerthNow reported.
Council documents reportedly cite increasing requests for dog exercise areas, but growing concerns about public safety have left councillors divided on how new rules should be applied and enforced.
Fremantle mother and dog owner Sheryl Sama branded the idea of limiting dog access “silly.”
“I feel it’s a silly rule, because it’s so nice to go to the park with the dogs while my kids enjoy the playground safely because they’re inside the fenced area,” she told Perth Now.
Prawn Bay would also be impacted under the proposal. Source: City of Fremantle
“I think it’s unnecessarily restrictive, because otherwise, where are we supposed to go with our kids and dogs? We might be forced to drive miles to the beach or another park every time.”
Deputy Mayor Fedele Camarda warned a blanket ban might go too far, suggesting playgrounds and play spaces be removed from the initial draft for public comment.
“If it stays in and it goes out for comment, my hope is that we land in the right place,” he said.
Other councillors, meanwhile, said keeping playground restrictions in place made sense.
Mayor Ben Lawver said he supports creating “human-only” areas but thinks a blanket ban could backfire.
“(It will) probably invite more conflict than what exists today,” he said.
“The dogs that are problems and the owners that are problems are not going to be deterred by some signage that gets put up.
“So, what we’re going to wind up having to do if this is endorsed as written before us, we’ll wind up having to fence off all these areas.”
He suggested a more tailored approach, pointing to a park in Hilton with a dog water bowl less than a metre from a revamped play space.
“I think if we go with the intent of creating some spaces for people concerned about pets—saying ‘OK, this park would be great for humans only, this one we’ll just leave as it is’—that would be the way forward,” Lawver said.
Fremantle Council is now calling for public comments before any changes are finalised, leaving Fremantle residents to weigh in on whether some parks should really be dog-free zones — or if pooches deserve a place alongside the swings and slides.
Noosa Council said visitors must ensure their dog is under effective control or face $843 fines. Source Getty/Facebook/S Boric
Australia’s ongoing dog division
Disputes over dog-free areas aren’t unique to Fremantle and have sparked heated debate in communities across Australia.
Councils from Queensland to Victoria have faced backlash after proposing bans in popular locations, including Noosa’s beaches, inner-city parks, and even some sporting grounds.
Supporters argue the restrictions protect children, wildlife and the enjoyment of public spaces, while opponents say they unfairly limit where people can walk and exercise their dogs.
The controversy often leaves councils trying to balance competing interests, with residents divided over whether dog-free zones are necessary or overly restrictive.
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