Canine companions will have almost twice as much space to exercise, frolic and live their best lives at Hams Beach under off-leash changes in effect from this week.
Lake Macquarie City Council has extended the off-leash stretch of beach to the north, from 290m in length to 860m.
The overall space for dogs to run free has increased from 38,000m2 to 70,000m2.
Manager Asset Management Karen Partington said the change followed a recommendation to expand the Hams Beach off-leash area in Council's Dogs in Open Space Strategy.
"Lake Mac is home to more than 92,000 registered dogs, so dog owners are key users of our open spaces," she said.
"Hams Beach has long been a popular spot to exercise our four-legged friends, and extending the off-leash beach area will no doubt be a welcome move as the warmer months approach."
Under the changes, the dunes between the beach and the grassed off-leash areas off Mawson Close have been removed as off-lead to protect the fragile coastal environment.
The beach area south of the off-leash area to Caves Beach will remain off-limits to dogs, in line with the requirement for dogs to stay at least 400m from patrolled beach zones.
"We're installing clear signage to clearly delineate off-leash, on-leash and dog-prohibited areas," Ms Partington said.
"If an area isn't identified as either off-leash or dog-prohibited, dogs are permitted on-leash."
The only exceptions are public barbecue facilities and children's playgrounds. The Companion Animals Act prohibits dogs within 10m of these areas.
Lake Mac is home to a growing number of off-leash areas for dogs.
Two new spaces – at Nords Wharf Oval and Myuna Bay foreshore – were implemented in July, bringing the total to 32.
Ms Partington said rangers would be onsite over the next four weeks to help educate Hams Beach users about the changes.
Go to lakemac.com.au
