community services · City of Hobart
City of Hobart drops Lower Wellesley Park dog area plan
The Hobart Workshop Committee backed away from a fenced off-lead dog exercise area at Lower Wellesley Park after hearing 185 submissions, including 133 negative responses.
The City of Hobart has ruled out, for now, a fenced off-lead dog exercise area at Lower Wellesley Park after the Hobart Workshop Committee met on 1 June and heard strong opposition from the community. The engagement drew 185 submissions, with 32 positive responses and 133 negative responses.
The open portion of the Hobart Workshop Committee meeting, held at 4pm in the Lady Osborne Room, included a presentation from David Reeve, director infrastructure and assets, and Sean Black, manager open space. The committee also heard deputations from Tanzi Lewis, representing the Hobart Dog Walking Association, Amanda Sinclair, Dr Jennifer Connor and Dr Katrina Ward.
Members noted the community was strongly opposed to a fenced off-lead dog exercise area at Lower Wellesley Park. They agreed not to proceed with construction there at this time.
The committee also agreed that the $30,000 previously allocated for fencing improvements at Upper Wellesley Oval remain available and be progressed, consistent with its original purpose of reducing wildlife access and damage to the playing surface.
The minutes say the focus shifted to Upper Wellesley Park Oval. Officers told the committee the lower oval is 2,000 square metres, has no dedicated parking, toilets or lighting, has steep access from all points and limited shelter and shade. Upper Wellesley Park Oval is 12,420 square metres, has parking, toilets, lighting and an existing fence that is improvable.
The minutes also say the improved fencing may improve functionality of the space for dog exercise, while the oval continue to operate as an off-lead area outside organised sporting use. Members noted they were keen to ensure there is a facility open to dog walkers from 1/7/2026 and that the intent is for the matter to come back to council in June.
The workshop also revisited an earlier council decision from 23/02/2026 that a fenced off-lead dog park at Lower Wellesley Park, South Hobart, be constructed as soon as possible so it could be used by 1 July 2026, funded through the City’s 2025/26 Capital Works Program at a cost of $180,000. Members discussed whether the change of site focus from Lower Wellesley Park to Upper Wellesley Park would affect that decision, and agreed the chief executive officer will seek advice on its validity.
The same meeting also resolved by majority to close part of the session to the public for confidential matters, including closed minutes, confidential information and closed questions without notice.
Reference minutes
Source: City of Hobart Hobart Workshop Committee - 1 Jun 2026 4.00pm minutes.
Key facts from the minutes
- The Hobart Workshop Committee met on 1 June 2026 at 4.00pm in the Lady Osborne Room.
- The committee heard there were 185 submissions on the Wellesley Park dog exercise proposal.
- Of those submissions, 32 were positive and 133 were negative.
- Members agreed not to proceed with a fenced off-lead dog exercise area at Lower Wellesley Park at this time.
- The committee kept $30,000 available for fencing improvements at Upper Wellesley Oval.
- The minutes say Upper Wellesley Park Oval is 12,420 square metres, while Lower Wellesley Park Oval is 2,000 square metres.
- The chief executive officer will seek advice on whether the earlier 23 February 2026 council decision remains valid after the change in site focus.
Why it matters
- The workshop outcome puts the Lower Wellesley Park dog enclosure plan on hold and shifts attention to Upper Wellesley Park, which affects nearby residents and dog walkers in South Hobart.