Barragoot Beach dog rules face fresh scrutiny after 8-1 council vote

Dog owners using Barragoot Beach face a possible change in how animals are exercised and managed after Bega Valley Shire Council adopted updated companion-animal controls in an 8-1 vote.

The council adopted the updated Procedure 4.04.06 Companion Animal Control Areas after changes made in response to feedback from the public consultation process. It also directed staff to investigate whether any areas of Barragoot Beach are, or can be, classified as a Wildlife Protection Area, and report back to councillors.

Cr Nadin was the only councillor to vote against the resolution. Cr Haggar declared a non-pecuniary, less than significant conflict of interest because he is on the Biamanga Board, which had made a submission. He remained in the meeting and voted.

Karen Joynes addressed councillors against the proposed companion-animal control procedure during the public forum.

The resolution does not identify which parts of Barragoot Beach could qualify for Wildlife Protection Area status. It also does not set a new boundary or specify any additional dog-access restrictions at the beach.

Staff must now investigate the possible classification and return the findings to Bega Valley Shire Council. No date was specified for that report.

The companion-animal resolution was separate from council’s consideration of procedures for dangerous and menacing dog declaration appeals. That matter was deferred while staff revise the proposed procedures.

The requested revisions cover external review of menacing dog declarations, written reasons that include findings of fact and the evidence relied on, access to adverse material before a determination, panel independence, timeframes, statutory considerations and disability supports.

For residents, the immediate change is the adoption of the updated control-area procedure. Any further effect on dog exercise or management at Barragoot Beach will depend on the investigation and a later council decision about Wildlife Protection Area classification.