I think a very compelling argument has been made that the community is opposed to a dog park on the (Tin Can Bay) foreshore.
I have viewed the council debate and was appalled that firstly, Wes Mitchell Park was listed as a choice at Council’s behest and not by the ratepayers, secondly that the least popular site was chosen (why even bother with a survey?), and thirdly that Chooky Mallet [Park](the peoples choice), was basically excluded from the vote by the statement: “a third party has an interest in this site and it should not have even been included in the survey”.
When one looks at Wes Mitchell, it so doesn’t come close to being suitable.
1. [It’s] too small (3000m minimum is the standard).
2. It impacts private residences directly 24/7 ie, visual, audible, smell, apart from the financial and mental consequences.
3. It would drain directly into the Great Sandy Strait Marine Park and the RAMSAR WETLANDS and therefore have a negative impact on the flora and fauna within this region.
The unfortunate selection of Wes Mitchell Park was the result of a limited budget and guidelines that biased the assessment process. (Toilets, parking, size)
The survey was poorly conducted and not well publicised, and even though Council chose to ignore the results, it was clearly a document that should have been inclusive of the whole community.
The provision of a Dog Park impacts every resident and should have been conducted on that basis.
The subsequent outrage and consequently the petition should not be ignored by Council.
