Where can I walk my dog?
Dog On and Off Leash Maps
Coastal Area (Goolwa to Port Elliot)
Blue highlighted area: dogs on leash at all times between 1 December – 31 January. Dogs on leash 10am - 6pm from 1 February - 30 April. Under effective control 1 May - 30 November.
Pink highlighted area: under effective control.
Goolwa Beach On Leash Area (Western Pedestrian Access to Vehicle Access Point)
Blue highlighted area: dogs on leash at all times between 1 December – 31 January. Dogs on leash 10am - 6pm from 1 February - 30 April. Under effective control 1 May - 30 November.
Goolwa to Middleton Beach Off Leash Area (Treleaven Place - Tongan Way)
Pink highlighted area: under effective control.
Middleton On Leash Area (Mill Terrace – Eastern Esplanade Car Park Pedestrian Access)
Blue highlighted area: dogs on leash at all times between 1 December – 31 January. Dogs on leash 10am - 6pm from 1 February - 30 April. Under effective control 1 May - 30 November.
Port Elliot (Horseshoe Bay) On Leash Area
Blue highlighted area: dogs on leash at all times between 1 December – 31 January. Dogs on leash 10am - 6pm from 1 February - 30 April. Under effective control 1 May - 30 November.
All Other Coastal Foreshore Areas: Dogs on leash 10am - 6pm from 1 December - 30 April. Under effective control 1 May - 30 November.
Do I have to have my dog on a leash?
Yes, you must have your dog on a leash of no more than two metres in all public places and in private places were you do not have the consent of the occupier to have your dog off-leash. Dogs must be on leash when walking in along all public roads and footpaths unless otherwise signposted.
What is effective control of your dog?
Effective control of a dog that is “Off Leash” means that the owner/person responsible for the dog can voice control their dog in a manner that ensures the dog will obey. The dog needs to remain in close proximity and in sight of the owner/person responsible, at all times. When the dog is called (one call only), the dog should immediately respond and return to its owner/person responsible. The owner/person responsible should be able to display control over the dog with verbal commands only (not physically holding the dog).
Exercising Effective Control “On Leash”:
In all public places and where legislation or By-laws require a dog to be on a physical restraint - a dog is still required to be under the effective control of a person. In these situations “Exercising Effective Control” is by means of voice command and physical control. The physical control of the dog must be by means of a chain, cord or leash that is no longer than 2m in length”. In these situations, "Exercising Effective Control" requires the person restraining the dog to be physically able to control the behaviour of the dog.
Council Parks and Reserves
Other than the areas listed below, dogs are required to be on leash between 10am and 6pm daily in all Council reserves from 1 December – 30 April. Dogs are required to be under effective control at all other times.
On leash at all times parks and reserves:
- Strathalbyn Soldiers Memorial Park
- Stones Lane Strathalbyn
- Ferrymans Reserve Hindmarsh Island
- Bradford Road Bush Reserve Goolwa
- Currency Creek Waterfall Trail
- Ratalang Basham’s Beach Conservation Reserve, Middleton - Port Elliot
- All Council reserves and pathways at Beyond, Chiton.
Dogs are prohibited from the following areas:
- Within 5 metres of playground equipment
- Kessell Road Wetlands Goolwa
- Jaench Reserve Hartley
- Walter Newell Reserve Goolwa
Cleaning up after your dog
As a responsible dog owner you are required to collect and dispose of the poo in a sanitary manner (such as the next convenient public waste bin). As a responsible dog owner you are required to carry a dog waste bag with you when walking your dog. A fine of $312.50 can be issued if caught not carrying a dog waste bag. Council have provided a number of dog waste bag dispensers to help dog owners comply with this requirement.
These dispensers are kindly adopted by volunteers in the community, if you notice a dispenser is empty please contact Council and quote the dispenser number or the location of the dispenser.
Council is reducing the use of single use plastics by making a shift to compostable dog waste bags. Over the next two weeks, compostable dog waste bags will be rolled out to all dispensers across the Council district. The shift to a compostable product means that if you take the used bags home, they can be disposed of in your green bin rather than your general waste bin, not only reducing plastic waste but also total waste to landfill. Any feedback on the new bags can be emailed to alex@alexandrina.sa.gov.au.
If you are interested in adopting a dispenser please contact Community Safety on 8555 7000 during business hours.