More pooch parks proposed for Waipā

Waipā dogs may soon have eight more exercise areas to choose from.

That’s just one of the changes proposed by Council as part of a formal review of rules covering the district’s 9,500 dogs later this month.

Council’s group manager - district growth and regulatory Wayne Allan was hoping for plenty of interest in Council’s draft dog control policy and dog control bylaw discussed by Elected Members today.

“Bylaws don’t normally get people too excited but dog owners and others with an interest are very passionate, so we’ve hoping for a lot of feedback.”

Council wants to create five new exercise areas in Cambridge, one new area at Pekerau Reserve in Te Awamutu, two new exercise areas in Waipuke Park in Maungatautari, and to relocate the existing area at Ōhaupō Memorial Park. Those changes reflect the growth in Waipā’s dog population and will ensure dogs and their owners have plenty of places to exercise, Allan said.

Cambridge dogs will be able to run free at any time in four of the proposed five new exercise areas with only one new area, The Oval in Cambridge Park, requiring dogs to be on-leash between 8am and 8pm each day.

Council is proposing dogs continue to be allowed at Cambridge’s Lake Te Koo Utu but must be on-leash between 8am-8pm. The same rule is proposed for War Memorial Park in Te Awamutu.

“Some people would like dogs prohibited from these areas – not everyone likes dogs. But many people want to be able to walk their dogs around the lake and at the park and do so safely,” Allan said,

“This proposal allows them to still do that, but dogs will need to be leashed and under control so everyone can enjoy those spaces.”

Council is also looking for feedback on a proposal to curtail dogs on Kakepuku maunga. Much of the maunga is managed by the Department of Conservation (DoC) and already dogs are not permitted in that area without a DoC permit.

Council manages the remaining lower part of the mountain where dogs are currently permitted on-leash. That may change because of long-standing concerns from mana whenua over sacred sites and urupā on the maunga, concerns expressed over public safety and the potential impacts on pest control (including the danger posed to dogs by poison).

“We’re proposing dogs only be allowed up to the water tanks area, and that they must be on a leash. Beyond this, dogs would be prohibited without a DoC permit and we’re seeking feedback on that as well.”

Formal consultation on the draft policy and bylaw will open on Friday 12 May for four weeks. Those wanting more information, or to make a submission, can go online at waipadc.govt.nz/dogsreview from the above date or pick up the Council document, ‘Paws a while… Let’s talk about dogs!’ from Council offices and libraries.

Elected Members will consider community feedback and make final decisions later this year.