Project Background

Council has identified a growing need for a fenced Dog Off-Leash Area in Crows Nest, 'Dog-Off Leash Areas and Restricted Areas Future Planning in the Toowoomba Region’ report.

From a community survey held from 26 August to 15 September, 60% of respondents supported Skelly Recreation Reserve as the preferred location over the alternative option of Dale Street Park.

Council thanks all those who took time to provide their comments.

Over the coming months a concept design will be developed, with the off-leash park area to include:

  • Regulatory signage identifying rules and designated area
  • Fenced area of approx. 4000sq metres
  • Drinking fountain and water access for dogs
  • Waste bin
  • Seating

This concept design will be available to the community as part of a second round of consultation to formally adopt the park location under the Local Laws process.

The community will be given advice when this consultation is open for feedback.

Location of future Dog Off-Leash area

  • Approximate area shown in map below.
  • Skelly Recreation Reserve currently has picnic facilities, playground, carparking and amenities to complement this new use.
  • The existing amenities block is earmarked for upgrade and relocation closer to the car park as part of the current capital works program.
  • Green area indicates the general area to be used for a future Dog Off-Leash area.

Proposed location of map in Skelly Reserve - along boundary with Showground Terrace and Emu Creek Road

Off-leash park responsibilities

It should be noted that within any public area dog handlers must:

  • keep their dog(s) under effective control at all times, either by:
    • restraint on a leash OR
    • unrestrained within a designated dog off-leash area but under the continuous supervision of a person who is able to control the animal by voice command
  • immediately remove and dispose of their dog’s faeces in a sanitary manner
  • prevent their dog(s) from attacking a person or animal, or acting in a way that causes fear to a person or animal, or cause damage to property
  • ensure their dog(s) are currently registered within the local government area where they are usually kept
  • ensure that declared dangerous, menacing dogs, and prohibited breeds meet with conditions outlined in the declaration for that animal
  • ensure that female dogs that are in season (on heat) are not brought into a public area.

Local laws and penalties apply.