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Dogs won’t be able to frolic freely at the north end of Snells Beach under the new regulations.
Dog owners will be able to enjoy more time on the beach with their pooch under Rodney Local Board’s new dog policy.
Currently, dogs are banned from 13 Mahurangi beaches from the first Sunday in October until the third Sunday in March, between 9am and 7pm. However, that period is set to be five weeks shorter under the new policy, with restrictions starting on Labour Weekend (the fourth Monday in October) and ending on March 1.
The changes bring Rodney in line with the rest of Auckland.
The hours of the ban will also shorten to 10am to 6.30pm. Dogs are allowed to be under control off-leash at all other times.
On the east coast, the rules affect Snells Beach, Point Wells, Sandspit, Omaha, Mathesons Bay, Martins Bay, Brick Bay and Campbells Beach. The restrictions are set to end at Jamieson Beach and Buckleton Beach, due to the low numbers of beach users.
Stricter controls will be implemented at the northern end of Snells Beach because of concerns about dogs pestering shorebirds.
Dogs will be prohibited from Snells Beach, north of the Sunburst Reserve boat ramp, from 10am to 6.30pm from Labour Weekend to March 1 and must be on-leash at all other times.
The Board released their recommendations for the policy last month. It will now go to the Governing Body on September 24, where it is expected to be included in Council’s Dog Management Bylaw. If adopted, the new rules will take effect on October 24.
The Board’s hearings panel considered 171 submissions on the policy and held a day of hearings last month. Over a third of the submissions received requested for the ban end on March 1.
Board member Greg Sayers says responsible dog owners will benefit having extra weeks to exercise their dogs on the beach.
“A balanced approach must be taken providing for the rights of non-dog owners while making the public safe from attacks.”
