Call to close off-leash area

An appeal has been made for a dog off-leash zone in Redcliffe to be closed and the area “returned to the people”.

A resident, who has since asked Moreton Daily not to name him, who lives near Queens Beach North dog off-leash area, made the call at a Moreton Bay City Council meeting.

The designated off-leash section, opened on April 1, 2021 following public consultation, is from the rock groyne at the beach’s northern end, to just short of Griffith Rd at the south.

The resident listed issues residents and other beach users face at the Scarborough beach - and said there is an alternative in Clontarf.

“My wife and I are dog owners and dog lovers and enjoy the off-leash-dog area at Kroll Gardens (Clontarf) almost every day,” he said.

“We believe the Kroll Gardens is a more appropriate off-leash dog area. 

He also reported dog fights leading to scuffles between owners, dogs “digging through people’s food and belongings” and dogs running off-leash on nearby paths.

“We and other residents along Flinders Pde are woken every morning to the sound of barking dogs and noisy dog owners,” the man said.

“This is causing us some stress with interrupted sleep. This starts before sunrise and continues basically on-and-off all day.

“It is exceedingly difficult for the public to enjoy the beach as many times the dogs will dig through people’s food and belongings.

“Dogs often jump all over them and it is particularly bad for young children and the elderly.

“Many times we have seen dogs roaming off-leash on the path adjacent to the beach. This causes great distress to people just enjoying a beachside stroll.

“I have spoken to several elderly residents who will not walk along the area with their dogs because of the fear unrestrained dogs will attack their dogs. One resident had a dog attack.

“I respect the work rangers are doing to try and crack down on that, but they can’t always be everywhere.”

All councillors applauded at the end of the resident's speech.

Council has been contacted for possible responses to the man's concerns and the future of the Queens Beach North off-leash area.