Vanessa Hall 

Editor 

THE NEW Sunshine Coast Council dog laws, which came into effect from Friday, July 3, have now thrown the work of a popular sand artist into question.

For the past two years, Owen Cavanagh, who is known as the ‘Rakey Master’, has been down at the beach at dawn creating sand murals on the southern part of Coolum Beach – often many times in one week and always with his trusty best mate, ‘Max’ the blue staffy by his side – securely on leash.

Owen uses that beach site as people can easily see his work from the Coolum Boardwalk, which is directly above.

The new dog laws and new signage show that dogs are now banned from beach access 81 (where the Coolum Boardwalk starts) to beach access 82 (First Bay), and the new rules have taken many by surprise.

Owen said this not only affected him but many others who walk the entire length of the beach up to where the rocks start.

“Unless you see that sign, people won’t know that dogs are now banned,” Owen said.

People can walk their dog on a leash from where the northern part of the caravan park is to just south of where the beach volleyball net is, and from that area south, dogs are now banned.

Many dog owners have been taken aback that the new restrictions start at that particular spot, artist Owen being one of them.

“Max goes everywhere with me, and I didn’t realise these new rules would ban dogs from this part of the beach.”

Keeping rocky foreshores protected   
Sunshine Coast Council states that the changes to Rocky Foreshores and Headlands of which Point Perry is one, “will support effective protection of environmental and cultural values on our rocky foreshores and support effective management.”

In order to do this, “a 725m section of rocky foreshore will change from on-leash to dogs prohibited at all times, south of beach access 81 to beach access 82.”

Division 8 Councillor Taylor Bunnag stated that whilst the area in question was not in his division, he was also stumped by the new provision.

“The local law discussed restrictions to the Point Perry Rocky Foreshore which to me makes sense, but I am troubled to see the change applying to areas that are not rocky foreshore south of Beach Access 81.”

Division 9 Councillor Maria Suarez offered a more thorough explanation as to how the area in question came to be restricted to dogs.

“When complaints came through, I questioned the DEA (Dog Exercise Area) team about using BA81 as the starting point for restriction.  The response was that it is considered rocky foreshore, as when the sand is low the rocky foreshore is exposed.

“As a local, I acknowledge that the area is more often covered with sand than it is exposed.”

Council official reply  
An official response from a Sunshine Coast Council representative to the Advertiser stated that, “Council aligned dog access areas with existing beach access points.”

“Coastal conditions can change with tides, sand movement and weather. Signed beach access points provide a consistent location reference, even when the beach or foreshore looks different.”

Council also stated that the current arrangements would remain and would be reviewed through the scheduled five-year review of the plan.

Cr Suarez did state that she was personally trying to find a workable solution for all impacted.

“I have contacted the team regarding the location of the signage, stating those on the beach would not see it.

“On Friday, I also took the CEO to the area to explain the issue and discuss options going forward.  Suggestions or options will need to be worked on, and I won’t be able to provide any definitive outcomes as yet,” Cr Suarez said.

The Advertiser asked Council if they would be lenient on dog walkers who were caught off guard by the new restriction.

“Council officers take a measured approach and consider the circumstances of each situation when responding to reports of non-compliance,” the Council representative said.

“Our officers have been engaging directly with dog owners to help them understand the new rules and no fines have been issued in relation to the new dog access rules to date.”

Council is also urging people to “know before they go” in order to avoid what could be a costly day out.

“Check beach signage, use Council’s online mapping tool and visit the dog exercise areas webpage before heading out.”