Below is an email I just received concerning dog walking on Mornington
Peninsula NP, which was discussed here earlier this year (I think). Good news
for Hooded Plovers, but I'll let others who know more about it comment on
whether the news is good enough.
Peter Shute
-----Original Message-----
From: Responses
Sent: Tuesday, 4 June 2013 2:18 PM
Subject: Dog Walking Review Outcomes - Mornington Peninsula NP
Review of Dog Walking - Mornington Peninsula National Park
Parks Victoria is pleased to announce the outcomes of the Dog Walking Review
for the Mornington Peninsula National Park which was subject to a 'Have Your
Say' community consultation process in October and November 2012.
Parks Victoria received almost 700 submissions and five petitions in response
to the public consultation. The submissions were analysed by an independent
consultant for Parks Victoria and a copy of a summary and full report is
available on www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. The analysis demonstrated there is
community support for a ban on dogs in the park as well as a community desire
for continued dog walking. 52% of submissions preferred a total ban or more
restrictions and 44% preferred no change or fewer restrictions.
Based on the independent analysis of the submissions, a year round ban on dogs
in additional areas of the Park will be introduced on 1 September 2013 to
enhance protection of fauna values and reduce the impacts of dogs on other
visitor experiences. In determining the future management of dogs in the Park,
Parks Victoria acknowledged there is both significant community support for
additional restrictions, including the option for a total ban on dogs, as well
as a strong desire by many local residents for continued dog walking
opportunities.
In balancing the need to improve conservation outcomes and provide for the
recreational desires of residential communities abutting the Park, year round
bans on dogs will apply in additional park areas including Gunnamatta Ocean
Beach, sections of the St Andrews and Rye Ocean Beaches, sections of Portsea
Surf Beach including the Sphinx Rock area, and sections of the Flinders to Cape
Schanck coastline. The majority of the areas where the ban will apply are
adjacent to rural areas or areas with low levels of residential development and
minimal direct beach access.
The areas where dogs will be prohibited are key Hooded Plover breeding areas
and/or habitat areas for small mammal species such as the threatened
White-footed Dunnart and the Long-nosed Bandicoot. The dog ban areas will
benefit many of the Park's threatened fauna species, including the ability to
undertake intensive pest animal control, and enable visitors to enjoy more
areas of the Park without the presence of dogs.
The new regulations will become effective from 1 September 2013 and dogs on
leash can then only be walked in designated areas as shown on the attached map
from sunrise to 9.00 am. Detailed maps showing where dogs can continue to be
walked can be viewed or downloaded on Parks Victoria's web site.
Parks Victoria has also determined to undertake a further review on dog walking
in the Park in 2015, to assess the effectiveness of these new restrictions in
achieving improved conservation outcomes, as well as the level of community
compliance with the regulations. This review may result in further restrictions
on dogs in the Park.
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