Dog owner petitions for more off-leash space at Quota Park

A Nambour dog owner has launched a petition calling for more practical off-leash rules at Quota Memorial Park, arguing an $863 fine for dogs being exercised outside the park’s small, unfenced designated off-leash area is excessive.

Mikahla Steele started the Change.org petition, Fair Off-Leash Hours for Quota Memorial Park, Nambour, asking Sunshine Coast Council to allow dogs under effective control to be exercised off-leash in appropriate areas of the park before 8am and after 4pm.

Quota Memorial Park already includes a designated off-leash dog exercise area, but Ms Steele said it was unfenced and restricted to one section of the park.

“Recently, local dog owners have reported receiving fines when their dogs have moved outside the designated area,” she wrote. “This is particularly concerning because the current on-the-spot fine for having a dog off-leash in an on-leash area is $863.”

Ms Steele said the penalty highlighted the need for clearer and more practical arrangements where the boundary of an unfenced exercise area might not always be obvious to park users.

“The designated off-leash section is only a relatively small portion of the large open green park area, despite there being no physical fencing separating the off-leash and on-leash sections,” Ms Steele said. 

She said there was also an accessibility issue for some park users. “The current designated off-leash area is grassed, which can be difficult or impractical for people using mobility scooters or wheelchairs to access safely. 

“Some users therefore rely on the flatter, more accessible sections of the park when exercising their dogs. I think time-based off-leash access across appropriate areas could provide a fairer and more inclusive option for these community members.”

The petition proposes time-based access similar to arrangements operating at other Sunshine Coast locations.

Under the proposal, normal responsible dog ownership requirements would remain in place, including keeping dogs under effective control, cleaning up after them and keeping dogs away from playgrounds, barbecue areas and other designated dog-free areas.

Ms Steele said introducing off-leash periods before 8am and after 4pm would provide residents with an opportunity to exercise and socialise their dogs while preserving the busiest daytime periods for other park users.

“We believe introducing similar hours at Quota Memorial Park would provide a clear and easy-to-understand rule, reduce confusion caused by an unfenced off-leash boundary [and] provide a fair balance for all park users,” she wrote.

The petition asks council to work with the Nambour community to introduce the designated hours. 

Div 10 Cr David Law said he would be pleased to receive the petition. In his recent column Cr Law said:  “Quota Park is a well-used and well-loved space, and I encourage dog owners to continue enjoying it responsibly. The off-leash area is well signposted, detailed information is available on Council’s website and we regularly host animal management information sessions.  Council’s approach to compliance has not changed, with only two infringement notices issued in the past 12 months. Our focus remains on helping people enjoy the park safely while keeping dogs under effective control.”

A Sunshine Coast Council representative said dog owners were encouraged to “know before they go” by checking local signs, Council’s website and the interactive map before visiting parks, beaches and reserves with their dog.

 They said Quota Memorial Park featured clear signage with maps at entry paths defining the off-leash dog exercise area. “Petitions made to Council are tabled at an Ordinary Meeting and referred to the relevant Council area for action and response.

 “Creating additional time-restricted off-leash areas must be carefully considered, as it adds complexity that may make rules harder to follow for dog owners. It also reduces park area for other early morning and late afternoon users. 

“In the past 12 months, Council has issued two infringements in the area for dogs being off-leash outside the designated off-leash area. Council has not received any complaints about dogs being off-leash at Quota Park.”

 The petition is available via https://c.org/fd4RFSr2bz

A highlighted Council park map shows the current off-leash dog area (small, at centre) compared with the much larger surrounding parkland that remains on-leash. 

Quota Memorial Park's large open green space is currently on-leash for dogs. Advocates want time-based off-leash access during quieter hours.