15 Aug Local member throws support behind off leash parks

The member for Lane Cove Anthony Roberts has accepted the honorary position as Patron of the recently formed Lane Cove Dog Lovers Association (LCDLA).

The former Mayor of Lane Cove and current NSW Minister for Counter Terrorism and Corrections attended Kingsford Smith Oval in Longueville and accepted the position – and a smart looking plaque – from LCDLA President Paul Mirabelle. Others in attendance for the casual ceremony included Ron Gedeon, President, Longueville Residents Association and Lane Cove Councillors David Brooks-Horn, Scott Bennison and Katherine Morris and In the Cove founding editor Jacky Barker.

Mr Mirabelle welcomed Minister Roberts in front of a cheerful crowd of dog lovers, dogs and coffee enthusiasts enjoying the sunshine (and the new location of the local coffee van) and asked about the Minister’s own passion for dogs and the community need for shared off leash areas.

“We’ve always had dogs in the family. I have two black Labradors: Condi and Scout.  Condi is 10 now and Scout is a very young five who keeps the ten-year-old very active,” the Minister said. “Dogs don’t judge you. They’re there for you. It’s unconditional love. Particularly after a long day in parliament for example, they’re at the door at 11 o’clock at night when you get home waiting for you.  I adore my animals.

“When I was Planning minister, we undertook one of the biggest rollouts of dog leash-free areas right across Sydney, because we understood the fact that people are choosing to live differently. There is a huge amount of movement between suburbs now, or people coming from overseas or interstate, and it’s a great way to meet new people, and also a great way to exercise your dog safely.

“Particularly for people who are disabled or elderly, where they find it very difficult to walk their dogs, the ability to have leash free areas is critically important, in a community like ours — and this municipality probably has one of the highest levels of dog ownership in the state,” he said.

The Minister pointed out, in New South Wales, there are more households with dogs than with children under 16.

“That goes to show how more and more people are seeing the health benefits of actually having a dog, and also those social benefits that come with that. As we see dog ownership increase we’ve got to see ways of making opportunities available for those dog owners to meet and for those dogs to play and relate with other dogs.”

Jacky Barker from In the Cove highlighted that more than 50 per cent of Lane Cove residents live in apartments, so places like Kingsford Smith Oval have such an important role to play especially during the during the COVID lockdowns, when the oval has been a hive of activity.

“What do you think Council should do to ensure that these types of spaces are protected?” she asked Minister Roberts.

“This gives those people with dogs a voice to actually work with council to say how council can better deliver services for dog owners,” he said. “Can I say I’ve been able to in the past to get grants for council to actually create some very, very inclusive areas such as leash-free areas for dogs. Leash-free areas that are fenced are critical to ensure that everyone can take their dog out and give it exercise.

“And to your point around people living in apartments; they can get to know someone else or their neighbour more often than not by taking their dog for a walk or having it in a leash free area and be able to talk to other people.”

Paul Mirabelle outlined how the Lane Cove Dog Lovers Association recently shared a draft Code of Conduct with Lane Cove Council and has been pressing the Council on the need for a comprehensive dog strategy for the entire community.

He asked Minister Roberts about what role the Minister and former Mayor sees for an Association such as the LCDLA in the formulation of such a comprehensive strategy?

“The fact that you’ve started this association puts you in a place to have an important voice in the delivery of regulations and that legislative side of council, so understand that I congratulate you for actually showing that leadership,” the Minister said.