Wyndham’s population is growing rapidly, and access to large backyards is infrequent for some residents.
With a larger population living on smaller land, the demand for public open space, especially from dog owners, increases.
Wyndham City is currently working on a plan to meet current and future demand for a variety of dog-friendly spaces, including fenced and unfenced spaces, and wants the community to have their say on how we can make Wyndham more dog-friendly.
Wyndham City’s Climate Futures & Environment portfolio owner, Cr Robert Szatkowski, said outdoor dog spaces are growing in popularity and recognized as a valuable asset to the physical and mental health of dogs and their owners.
“Wyndham currently has 21,030 registered dogs, with 16,702 households owning one or more dogs,” said Cr Szatkowski.
“Wyndham has the highest percentage of dogs in the established suburbs of Werribee, Point Cook and Hoppers Crossing.”
“However, growth projections predict suburbs like Manor Lakes and Mambourin will add 339 percent and 449 percent (Forecast ID) populations, respectively, through 2041, which is likely to result in a significant increase in dog ownership.”
“The community feedback received through the annual community survey and engagement sessions for the Wyndham Urban Planning Framework showed a high demand for additional off-leash areas, especially fenced-off locations.”
“A key outcome of this strategy is to ensure that we have equal access to off-leash areas for both established and emerging areas across the city. “
There are currently 18 dog open spaces across the city with various levels of convenience, including informal (unfenced), formal (fenced), and target (fenced, higher-level activity areas) areas.
In addition to evaluating dog owner numbers and density mapping to aid in planning the level of care, it is important to evaluate the different breeds of dogs across the city and ensure that the facilities provided meet different needs.
Currently, the three most popular dog breeds in Wyndham include Jack Russell, Staffordshire Bull Terrier, and Labrador.
You can provide your feedback on The Loop from Monday June 7 through Monday July 5, 2021: www.theloop.wynhdam.vic.gov.au/wyndham-dog-off-leash-approach
If you want to share your thoughts on the unleashed dog approach, come for a pop-up session:
- Wednesday June 30th – Presidents Park, 4 p.m. – 6 p.m.
- Thursday, July 1st – Tarneit Community Learning Center, 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.
- Sunday 4th July – Saltwater Reserve, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.