This extension allows more time for the community to share their thoughts on how best to balance our vibrant recreational culture with the need to protect the Sunshine Coast's unique ecosystems.
Sunshine Coast Council's draft Dog Exercise Area Plan considers environmental impacts alongside community needs to ensure a sustainable future for all.
Environment and Liveability Portfolio Councillor Maria Suarez emphasised the importance of protecting sensitive coastal environments while maintaining generous dog access.
"Our draft plan proposes more than 15km of off-leash and 18km of on-leash dog access along our beaches and foreshores-the largest offering of any council in south-east Queensland," Cr Suarez said.
"We're working to ensure our beaches remain accessible while protecting the critical habitats that make our region so special."
Why protect rocky headlands?
The rocky headlands along the Sunshine Coast are biodiversity hotspots, home to marine plants, fish, invertebrates, reptiles, birds and marine mammals. These headlands also provide essential breeding and nursery grounds for many species that cannot survive elsewhere.
"Unlike people and dogs, many of these species are territorial and sessile-they cannot simply move to another location," Cr Suarez said.
"Protecting and preserving these habitats is vital for maintaining the health and biodiversity of our coastal ecosystems."
The intertidal zones of these rocky areas are especially sensitive. Organisms here face constant stress from temperature fluctuations, salinity changes and physical disturbance from wave action.
Additional stress from human and dog activity can have lasting impacts on these finely balanced ecosystems.
By reducing disturbances from dogs in sensitive areas, Council is aiming to minimise trampling, chasing or preying on wildlife, which in turn helps to preserve these habitats for generations to come.
