South Hobart dog ban stays after Lower Wellesley Park replacement falls through

South Hobart dog owners will not regain interim off-lead access at South Hobart Oval after the City of Hobart rejected the substantive parts of a motion to revisit the restriction. The decision followed the collapse of a planned fenced replacement area at Lower Wellesley Park.

Council carried the motion’s first two clauses, recognising that the oval restriction was introduced on the understanding that a purpose-built off-lead exercise area would be established, and that the proposed Lower Wellesley Park facility is no longer proceeding.

The clauses seeking reconsideration of the restriction, the start of the statutory process for interim access and a report on permanent options were lost.

Dogs are prohibited at South Hobart Oval at all times. The restriction was declared and notified under the Dog Control Act 2000 after Council considered submissions on amended dog-management areas in March. The planned Lower Wellesley Park facility was part of the arrangement behind the restriction.

A motion from Alderman L A Bloomfield said restoring suitable interim access would provide an alternative for the South Hobart community while a permanent purpose-built off-lead area was identified, built and opened. The motion said the proposal was not intended to interfere with organised sport or the protection of the oval.

Because the substantive clauses were not carried, no interim arrangement was approved. Council officers were not instructed to begin the public-notification and submissions process required to change the restriction, and no report on permanent options was requested.

Any future change to the South Hobart Oval restriction would require an absolute-majority Council decision, followed by the public-notification and submissions process under the Dog Control Act 2000.

For now, the existing prohibition at South Hobart Oval remains in force. The proposed Lower Wellesley Park replacement area is also not proceeding, leaving no newly approved interim off-lead arrangement linked to the motion.