Where can I walk my dog?

In all public places in Bass Coast dogs must be on a lead at all times, unless in a designated off-leash area. There are regular patrols to make sure that dogs are registered and on a leash.

Under Local Law, a person in charge of any animal on Council land must carry a bag (or other container) to clean up after their animal. They must be able to produce the bag or container upon request of any authorised officer.

A dog may be exercised off a chain, cord or leash in any of the following off-leash areas if the owner of the dog:

• carries a chain, cord or leash
• has at all times effective voice control of the dog and is able to place the dog under effective control by means of a chain, cord or leash immediately if necessary
• does not allow the dog to attack a person or animal or rush at a person
• always keeps the dog in sight

If within 20 metres of an organised sporting or practice event, a playground area or a permanent barbecue or picnic area, dogs must be on a chain, cord or leash.

Dogs are not permitted on Council managed Cape Paterson beaches (the Bay Beach, First Surf Beach and Second Surf Beach) from 1 December to 14 April each year, between 9.00am and 6.00pm. Dogs must be on a leash at all other times except when in the designated off-leash area. Designated off leash area seasonal restrictions apply: dogs on-leash 1 Dec- 31 Jan and Easter school holidays 9am-6pm: off leash all other times. Off leash area is located on First Surf Beach from Whale Rock, around 250 metres east towards the Channel.

Glen Forbes Recreation Reserve, 1720 Dalyston-Glen Forbes Road.

Off-Leash Areas

• Beach area east of Grandview Grove through to Cuttriss Street
• Reserve at the end of Endeavour Place, between Mariner Place, Regatta Place and Artisan Way
• Reserve at the end of Inlet Court, Queenscliff Drive, Headland Way and Somerset Place
• Beach area from Wave Street to Ozone Street seasonal restrictions apply: dogs on-leash 1 Dec- 31 Jan and Easter school holidays 9am-6pm: off leash all other times .

Dog Restrictions

Dogs on-leash are allowed on the following beaches, but are prohibited between 9.00am and 6.00pm from 1 December to 28 February and the Easter School Holidays:

• from the beach entrance at Wave Street to Wreck Creek
• from the beach entrance at Cuttriss Street to the beach entrance at Anderson Inlet (Caravan Park) opposite the Broadbeach Reserve
• from the end of Venus Street to the Esplanade car park opposite Bay Street

For environmental reasons, no dogs are permitted at any time on the beach from the beach entrance at Anderson Inlet (Caravan Park) 230 metres east of the Inverloch Angling Club, to Screw Creek Inverloch.

Inverloch Dog Off Leash Areas

Dogs are permitted on Council managed Kilcunda beaches at all times if they are on a leash. The beach area below the Kilcunda Foreshore Caravan Park, around 150 metres west towards the rocks, is a designated off-leash area.

Off-Leash Areas

If a dog is off a chain, cord or leash in a Designated Dog Off-leash Area, it must be brought under effective control by the owner by means of chain, cord or leash if it is within fifty metres of a signed threatened species wildlife refuge area.

• Ventnor Beach area between Graydens Road and Ventnor Beach Road - dogs are allowed off-leash at all times

• Cape Woolamai Beach (Cleeland Bight) between Palm Beach Avenue access track 350m south to Southport Avenue access track - seasonal restrictions apply: dogs on-leash 1 Dec- 31 Jan and Easter school holidays 9am-6pm: off leash all other times.
• Cowes West beach between Yacht Club access track to approximately 50 metres short of the Cowes Anderson Boat Ramp - Designated off leash area seasonal restrictions apply: dogs on-leash 1 Dec- 31 Jan and Easter school holidays 9am-6pm: off leash all other times
• Blue Gum Reserve, Dunsmore Road, Cowes

Dog Restrictions

Dogs are not permitted on the following beaches from 1 December to 30 April each year (inclusive) between 8.00pm to 7.00am and 10.00am to 5.00pm.

• Cape Woolamai Safety Beach (southern end of The Esplanade to Cleeland Road)
• All northern beaches from Ventnor to the eastern most part of Silverleaves with the exception of Cowes Main Beach (Mussel Rocks to Erehwon Point) where dogs are prohibited at all times
• Rhyll Beach (McIllwraith Road to Hastings Street)

Phillip Island Nature Parks

Phillip Island Nature Parks manages 1805 hectares of flora and fauna reserves including about 60 per cent of beaches on Phillip Island. In most of the reserves and beaches there are no dogs allowed at anytime for the protection of native wildlife and for the amenity of visitors. There are however some beaches where dogs are permitted on-leash, for example: Devon Avenue Ventnor, YCW and Smiths Beach, Surf Beach and the Colonnades, with summer restrictions in line with the Council managed beaches.

Off-Leash Areas

• San Remo Foots Beach from the Back Beach Road access track through Lions Park to Marine Parade beach access track. Designated off leash area seasonal restrictions apply: dogs on-leash 1 Dec- 31 Jan and Easter school holidays 9am-6pm: off leash all other times

Dog Restrictions

• Within the Jetty Beach Precinct, between the jetty and the bridge, dogs are not allowed at any time

• Coronet Bay beach 80 metres south of Norsemens Road entrance towards Coronet Bay township, ending in line with the end of Kowloon Crescent
• Corinella beach 90 metres south of the Beach Street access, south east to O’Connor Road ending before the access to the beach
• Tenby Point beach 55 metres east of the bottom of the access track to the Council land boundary ending in line with the eastern end of Marine Parade
• Grantville beach 30 metres south of the Swan Street beach access south towards the boat ramp and ending at the Grantville Hall beach access track

Strickland Street Reserve, off Korumburra Road to the rear of Butch West Oval.

**This area is unavailable during the following times, when Wonthaggi Dog Obedience Group Inc have exclusive use for training purposes:

- Sunday mornings between 9.00am and 12.00 noon

- Wednesday evenings between 5.30pm and 6.30pm during daylight savings only

On all other beaches under the management of Council (includes parts of Cape Paterson, Kilcunda, Coronet Bay, Tenby Point and Grantville) dogs are permitted at all times but must be on a lead. Please refer to signage at beach entry points.