The Transport Canberra and City Services Directorate (TCCS) has allocated five new off-leash and swimming areas for Canberra’s dogs to exercise and cool down over summer.
Minister for City Services, Chris Steel said the introduction of the new areas was foreshadowed during the Canberra Dog Model released earlier this year.
“The community told us they wanted more off-leash areas for their dogs, particularly more swimming areas,” Mr Steel said.
“We’ve listened and added more off-leash areas across the ACT, including in Gordon, Kambah, Farrer, Narrabundah, Charnwood and Bonner,” he said.
Mr Steel said the new dog swimming areas covered south, central and north Canberra by including areas around Lake Tuggeranong; Orana Bay in Yarralumla; Kurrajong Point beach, Weston Park; Lake Ginninderra; Yerrabi Pond; and Diddams Close, Belconnen.
“Off-leash areas provide responsible pet owners more opportunities to walk and exercise their dogs,” he said.
“We know most dogs love to get in the water and with summer coming up we’re really pleased to provide new designated areas for dogs to swim.”
He said the changes would be updated on ACTmapi, the publicly available online map to ensure the community was aware of on and off-leash areas.
“These changes are an important part of the Canberra Dog Model, which outlines a vision for Canberra to be a leader in effective dog management through improvements in community safety, responsible dog ownership and animal welfare,” Mr Steel said.
