Fremantle council has voted unanimously to ban dogs from all playgrounds, amending the city's dog exercise and prohibited areas policy and local law. The decision, made at a council meeting last week, aims to align Fremantle with other local governments and improve child safety in play spaces. However, the move comes despite strong community opposition: 77 per cent of respondents to a public consultation opposed or somewhat opposed the proposed changes.
Key Changes to Dog Exercise Areas
Under the new policy, dogs are prohibited from all playgrounds, the conservation area of Sir Fredrick Samson Park, the Walyalup Fremantle Arts Centre grounds, and Fremantle Oval. Prawn Bay and Rocky Bay Reserve were initially included in the ban but were removed via an amendment passed by council, allowing dogs to continue exercising there. An initial condition banning dogs within five metres of playgrounds was also dropped after concerns it was too restrictive for dog owners. A property on Rule Street in North Fremantle has been added as a new off-leash dog exercise area.
Community Voices Raise Concerns
Residents voiced strong opinions at the council meeting. Mark Woodcock, a Fremantle local, said: “Council is implementing a policy that amounts to a direct attack on the very members of community who need their animals the most – our seniors, our vulnerable, and our local families.” He warned that reducing dog walking and off-leash areas would harm people who rely on dogs as companion animals. Christopher Wilson, another resident, opposed the ban at Prawn Bay, noting it was a beloved dog area. “Part of the reason why I bought in North Freo was Prawn Bay, where I take my dog. The other option is Rule Street. It’s up hills. It’s crossroads. It’s over a kilometre away. And that’s not feasible for elderly people,” he said.
Community Feedback Divided
The city's public consultation reached more than 4,300 people through online and face-to-face interactions, and received 462 formal submissions. Of those, 75 per cent identified as dog owners or sitters, and 25 per cent were non-dog owners. All respondents reported confusion about dog rules, user conflicts, and incidents of dog attacks or aggressive behaviour. Responses to the proposed amendments were split: 38.1 per cent wanted no prohibitions near playgrounds, 34.2 per cent preferred some playgrounds prohibited or allowing leashed dogs, and 27.6 per cent wanted dogs banned from all playgrounds.
Council Debates and Amendments
Councillor Ingrid van Dorssen noted the lack of clear community consensus: “There was almost a 30 per cent, 30 per cent split on some of the proposed amendments. I don’t know if that suggests we’re doing it right and representing the community views.” Her amendment to remove Prawn Bay and Rocky Bay Reserve from the prohibited list was narrowly carried 5-4. She argued that these nature reserves had no complaints about dog behaviour or environmental damage, and that feedback strongly favoured more off-lead areas, not fewer.
Mayor Ben Lawver opposed removing the two areas, saying Rule Street was not yet ready for off-leash dogs. “It’s just a dirt field, basically. There’s nothing there, so if that’s where all the dogs in North Fremantle are going to go to run, it’s going to remain a dirt field,” he said. He suggested council could allocate budget to improve Rule Street before transitioning. Councillor Andrew Sullivan proposed an amendment for clear signage and a six-month education period, which passed unanimously. “I don’t think we can just assume that 100 per cent of dog owners in Fremantle are going to suddenly start doing the right thing when we know that that’s not currently the case,” he said.
Mayor's Proposal Rejected
Mayor Lawver also suggested allowing dogs in playgrounds within established dog exercise areas like Beach Street Reserve, Bruce Lee Reserve, and Fremantle Park, warning that a blanket ban could create a “dog prohibited area island” requiring fencing. The amendment was defeated 8-1, with councillors citing hygiene and child safety concerns. Public notice of the amended policy will be provided for a minimum of 28 days, followed by signage installation and enforcement.
