Due to ongoing community feedback, we revisited the two most-preferred site locations for a dog exercise area in Pelican Waters.

We are committed to providing high quality open space that supports active and healthy communities.

In response to community requests, we invited feedback from our community to gauge a preferred location for a dog exercise area. A survey was available here, on the Have your Say website, and a project news and site signage encouraged residents in the Pelican Waters and Golden Beach area to provide feedback in May 2023.

Review and analysis of the feedback received concluded that 87 per cent of respondents supported a dog exercise area in Pelican Waters, with both Scribbly Gum Park and Judy Henzell Park being the most preferred sites. In December 2023, we advised the community that Judy Henzell Park was the preferred location based on survey findings and preliminary investigations at the time.

Review the 2023 community engagement summary and update.

Since December 2023, Council has received additional feedback from our community regarding the two preferred park locations. Council has also undertaken more detailed concept planning to consider the opportunities and constraints to locating a fenced dog exercise area in both of the preferred parks. As a result, Council determined to go back to the community to seek feedback on how the community uses each park, and on the opportunities and constraints of locating a fenced dog exercise area in each park. This will provide further information to enable Council to decide upon the best location for the overall Pelican Waters community.

The community was invited to review the image below for detailed information and analysis on both Judy Henzell Park and Scribbly Gum Park. Feedback was provided via an online survey. The consultation period closed on Monday 23 September 2024.

Dog exercise areas (DEAs) are activity spaces provided to promote social and physical health for dogs and their owners. DEAs may be fenced or unfenced and can include the following, depending on the site:

• 1.2 metre high, black chain wire fence with two self-closing access gates (if fenced)
• catering for dogs of various sizes
• park shelter and shaded seating
• water tap with dog bowl
• concrete access paths
• dog bag dispensers and rubbish bin/signage
• shade tree planting

Please see PDF for a DEA design example.

Additional off-street parking is not being considered; facility users will need to park on-street or be within walking distance of the DEA.

Existing nearby DEAs

There are seven DEAs within a 10-minute drive of Pelican Waters:

• Woorim Park, Golden Beach
• Aroona Park, Aroona
• Ridgehaven Park, Aroona
• Beach access 276 to 281, Shelley Beach
• Coochin Park, Dicky Beach
• Little Mountain Common, Little Mountain
• Baringa Forest Park, Baringa

Feedback received during this engagement process will help us determine priorities and location for a DEA that best serves the needs of Pelican Waters residents. We will assess community feedback and report back shortly.