Beach Assesments

Davenport Beach is currently managed by Marine Parks who have allowed off-leash dogs on the area. Allowing off-leash dogs in an area can only be done after an assesment is made in the interest of public and wildlife safety. 

Marine parks are established to protect tidal lands and waters and conserve the natural marine environment while allowing for its sustainable use. They protect habitats, including mangrove wetlands, seagrass beds, mudflats, sandbanks, beaches, rocky outcrops and fringing reefs.

Park boundaries can include tidal lands and waters up to the highest astronomical tide (these are tides caused by the sun and moon only—not other factors). These parks include the subsoil below and airspace above their boundaries, and the plants and animals within them.

Davenpott Beach falls under the Moreton Bay Marine Park. https://parks.qld.gov.au/parks/moreton-bay 

(please note on how moreton bay is advertised as an on-leash area only)

Because of recent incidents where kite surfers have been attacked and injured by dogs (some members on mulitple occasions), members of the club have requested clarification on the assesment impact created by Marine Parks to allow Davenport Beach to be used as an off-leash area. This information should be available to the public, but so far these members ave not been able to receive any response from marine Parks. 

Turning a public beach into a designated off-leash dog beach is a complex process that requires a comprehensive assessment by the relevant local government authority. The goal is to balance the recreational needs of dog owners with public safety, environmental protection, and the interests of the broader community.

Here is a detailed breakdown of the assessment areas that need to be addressed.

1. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)

This is often the most critical and sensitive part of the assessment. Beaches are fragile ecosystems.

• Flora and Fauna Study:

  • Shorebirds: An ecologist must assess the presence of resident and migratory shorebirds. Many species, like the Hooded Plover or Little Tern, nest on the sand or in the dunes and are critically endangered. Dogs, even well-behaved ones, can disturb nesting sites, chase birds (causing them to expend vital energy), and destroy eggs.

  • Marine Life: The assessment must consider potential impacts on marine animals that use the beach, such as sea turtles (for nesting) and dugongs.

  • Dune System: The stability of the sand dunes must be evaluated. Uncontrolled dogs running through dunes can accelerate erosion, destroy stabilizing native vegetation, and disturb fauna that lives there.

• Water Quality Analysis:

  • An assessment of how dog waste could impact water quality in the swimming zone and surrounding marine environment is necessary. Even if owners are diligent, not all waste is collected. Runoff can increase levels of fecal coliform bacteria (like E. coli) in the water, posing a health risk to swimmers and marine life.

• General Ecosystem Health:

  • The overall impact on the intertidal zone (the area between high and low tide) and its inhabitants (crabs, molluscs, etc.) needs to be considered.

2. Public Safety and Risk Assessment

This focuses on the potential for conflict and injury among beach users.

• User Conflict Analysis:

  • Dogs and People: The primary risk is negative interactions between off-leash dogs and other beachgoers, particularly children and individuals who are fearful of dogs. The assessment needs to consider the beach's popularity with families and other groups.

  • Dog-on-Dog Incidents: The potential for fights between dogs, especially in a high-energy, uncontrolled environment, must be evaluated. Most dog owners avoid the current dog parks, because of fear of mis-behaving dogs. 

  • Dog obsessions with Sticks: It is a dog's right to come to a beach and play with sticks. Many of not all dog owners will agree. In the assesment it should be outlined how interaction with other sports who use sticks will be managed. For instance, kite surfers use kite bars to controll their kites. in the eyes of a dog (owner) this is a stick, while in fact it is expensive (up to 1400 dollar) sporting equipment. 

  • Accessibility: How will the proposal affect access for people with disabilities or the elderly who may be less stable on their feet and more vulnerable to being knocked over?

• Site Suitability:

  • Natural Hazards: Does the beach have strong rips, sudden drop-offs, or rocky areas that could pose a danger to dogs? Are dogs being prone to cutting their paws on the exposed shells. 

  • Size and Layout: Is the beach large enough to accommodate both dog-free and off-leash zones without overlap? Can clear, defensible boundaries be established? A small, crowded cove is less suitable than a long, wide expanse of sand.

  • Is there room for a clear demarkation of council (on-leash) area and the proposed off-leash area and it is the area suitable for installing fencing?

3. Social Impact and Community Consultation

A proposal will fail without public support. The council must gauge the community's appetite for the change.

• Stakeholder Identification: This includes:

  • Local residents (both dog owners and non-dog owners)

  • Existing beach user groups (surf clubs, model sailing clubs, dragon boat clubs, swimmers, fishing clubs, families)

  • Local businesses (cafes, shops)

  • Environmental and conservation groups

  • Indigenous community representatives (to identify any cultural heritage significance)

• Consultation Methods:

  • Public Submissions: A formal period where the public can write to the council to support or oppose the proposal.

  • Community Meetings & Information Sessions: Forums to present the proposal, answer questions, and hear feedback directly.

  • Surveys: Distributing surveys to local households to gather quantitative data on community opinion.

  • On-site Engagement: Speaking directly to people currently using the beach.

4. Logistical and Infrastructure Assessment

This covers the practicalities of managing the site.

• Access and Parking:

  • Can the existing car park handle the increased traffic that a dedicated dog beach will attract?

  • Are the access paths to the beach suitable and safe?

• Signage:

  • A detailed signage plan is required. This includes signs at all entry points clearly stating the rules, off-leash area boundaries, and any time restrictions (e.g., "Off-leash allowed from 4 PM to 9 AM only").

• Waste Management:

  • Are there enough bins? Will specific dog waste bins and bag dispensers need to be installed?

  • The cost and frequency of increased waste collection must be factored in.

• Enforcement and Compliance:

  • A plan for monitoring the area is essential. How will council rangers patrol the beach to ensure compliance with rules (e.g., owners picking up waste, having effective control of their dogs)?

  • What is the proposed penalty for non-compliance?

5. Legal and Regulatory Framework Review

The proposal must comply with existing laws and regulations.

• Council Bylaws / Local Laws: The council's existing laws regarding animal management and public land use must be reviewed. The proposal will likely require an amendment to these laws.

• State Legislation: The proposal must align with state-level legislation, such as the Companion Animals Act (in NSW) or equivalent acts in other states, which dictate owner responsibilities.

• Liability: The council's legal liability in the event of a serious incident must be assessed.

6. Financial Assessment (Cost-Benefit Analysis)

The council must understand the financial implications.

• Costs:

  • Initial Outlay: Cost of commissioning environmental/social studies, new signage, bins, bag dispensers, and potential fencing or landscaping.

  • Ongoing Costs: Increased waste collection, increased ranger patrols for enforcement, and maintenance of facilities.

• Benefits:

  • Community Wellbeing: Providing a valuable recreational space for a significant portion of the community (dog owners).

  • Economic: Potential for increased patronage at nearby cafes and pet-related businesses.

  • Compliance: May lead to better compliance in other areas by providing a designated, attractive space for an activity that is already happening unofficially.

The Process Summary

A typical process would look like this:

1. Proposal: A community group or council member raises the idea.

2. Preliminary Investigation: Council staff conduct an initial review to see if the proposal has merit.

3. Formal Assessment: If approved, the council commissions the detailed environmental, safety, and social impact studies.

4. Public Consultation: The results of the assessments are released, and a formal public consultation period begins.

5. Report to Council: Council staff collate all findings and public feedback into a final report with a recommendation (e.g., approve, approve with modifications, or reject).

6. Council Vote: The elected councillors vote on the recommendation.

7. Implementation: If approved, a trial period is often implemented first, followed by a review before the change is made permanent. This allows for adjustments based on real-world observations.

details of the current registered off-leash area:

OBJECTID

55

SAP_FUNCTIONAL_LOCATION

B-RE-0393-N004

ITEM_DESCRIPTION

MANLY FORESHORE DOG OFF LEASH AREA

ITEM_TYPE

DOG OFF LEASH NODE

PARK_NUMBER

D1553

PARK_NAME

RQYS PORT CENTRE PARK

SUBURB

MANLY

FENCING

UNFENCED

LIGHTING

NO

SMALL_DOG_ENCLOSURE

NO

DOG_AGILITY_EQUIPMENT

NO

LONG

153.194

LAT

-27.458

Shape__Area

10,568.438

Shape__Length

470.048