Fremantle Council Proposes Dog Ban in Playgrounds Amid Public Debate
Fremantle City Council has ignited a heated community discussion with proposed changes to its dog exercise and prohibited areas policy, which could see dogs banned from playgrounds and play spaces. The council is currently seeking public feedback on the amendments, which aim to address growing tensions between dog owners and other park users.
Resident Reactions and Concerns
Local mother and chocolate lab owner Sheryl Sama expressed strong opposition to the proposed playground ban. "I feel it's a silly rule, because it's so nice to go to the park with the dogs while my kids enjoy the playground safely because they're inside the fenced area," she said while visiting Sir Fredrick Samson Park. "I think it's unnecessarily restrictive, because otherwise where are we supposed to go with our kids and dogs? We might be forced to drive miles to the beach or another park every time."
Ms Sama, who has been taking her dog Yago to the local park daily for years without incident, emphasized responsible ownership. "My dog is so friendly and lovely, he doesn't bother kids. When you have a dog, you have to look after it – you know your dog. It's common sense."
Proposed Changes and Council Debate
Under the proposed amendments:
- Dog exercise would be prohibited in conservation areas of Sir Fredrick Samson Park, Prawn Bay, Rocky Bay Reserve, and Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre grounds
- Dogs would be banned within 5 meters of playgrounds and play spaces
- A property on Rule Street in North Fremantle would be added as a dog exercise area
- Requests for Mills & Wares Park in South Fremantle to become an official off-lead area were rejected
The council report acknowledged "clear friction" between increasing requests for dog exercise areas and safety concerns for all park users. Councillors expressed opposing views during discussions, with Deputy Mayor Fedele Camarda proposing to remove the playground prohibition from the draft policy, fearing it would become a "blanket policy."
In contrast, Councillor Jemima Williamson-Wong supported the playground ban, stating "they don't need to use the slides or be on swing sets" and noting repeated concerns about tensions between small children and dogs.
Broader Enforcement and Community Issues
Mayor Ben Lawver advocated for a more nuanced approach, suggesting designated "human-only" spaces rather than blanket prohibitions. "(It will) probably invite more conflict than what exists today because you'll have well-behaved dogs in these areas where kids are that now parents will ring up and say 'this dog is prohibited and come and deal with that'," he warned.
Other councillors raised concerns about broader dog control issues in the community. Councillor Andrew Sullivan highlighted problems with dogs off-lead in public areas, while Councillor Melanie Clark, a High Street business owner, complained about excessive dog waste outside her store. "It's really important that we have something that does hold owners to account," she emphasized.
The city plans to increase promotion of responsible dog ownership alongside any policy changes. The council voted unanimously to release the proposed amendments for public comment, though several members requested clearer definitions of what constitutes a "play space" under the new rules.
