Keeping the Point Hut Dog Exercise Area open to the public as an approved off-leash facility.

Subject:
Keeping the Point Hut Dog Exercise Area open to the public as an approved off-leash facility.
Eligibility:
Residents of ACT
Sponsoring member:
Ms Deborah Morris
No. of Signatures:
516
Posting Date:
19/5/2025
Closing Date:
7/6/2025
 
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Information about the Principal Petitioner is available through the sponsoring Member of the Legislative Assembly's office
TO: The Speaker and Members of the Legislative Assembly
Reason for this Petition

The following residents of the ACT draw the attention of the Assembly to the imminent closure of Point Hut Dog Exercise Area following the opening of the Lanyon Dog Park. 

The Point Hut Dog Exercise Area is one of Canberra’s best kept secrets which is enjoyed daily by Lanyon locals exercising their dogs off lead. The new Lanyon Dog Park represents a 90% reduction in the open space enjoyed by dog lovers for many years. The current Point Hut Dog Exercise Area provides:

  • Open space where dogs of all sizes already enjoy longer walks off leash.
  • The ability to chase a ball thrown a reasonable distance.
  • Pack-play or walks as a social group.
  • Follow scents (important for canine mental stimulation).
  • Healthy social interaction between dogs and their owners. The open space permits dogs to play together or if not feeling social can find their own space without interrupting or being interrupted by others. The new Lanyon Dog Park does not provide any of the benefits identified above, 
  • The small enclosures do not permit space for the number of dogs currently enjoying the Point Hut Dog Exercise Area. 
  • Splitting of the already small area into two yards makes it unusable and unsafe for the many large dogs currently utilising the Point Hut Dog Exercise Area. 
  • Constraining the current dog population to such a small area will cause anti-social behaviour amongst dogs and their owners. 
  • As the new facility will not serve the needs of the community, this encourages irresponsible dog ownership and the use of other public spaces such as school and sporting ovals. The ACT Government’s plans to transition the area into an on-lead reserve will be a massive loss to the Tuggeranong community who have invested time and money into maintaining the area for the enjoyment of all locals and their dogs.

Requested Actions

Your petitioners, therefore, request the Assembly to call on the ACT Government to: 

  • Keep the existing Point Hut Dog Exercise Area as an off-leash dog area when the Lanyon Dog Park opens.

Sign this Petition