Swan Hill dog owners will soon have the opportunity to exercise their four-legged friends safely, off leash, at Barry Steggal Park in Swan Hill.
Swan Hill Rural City Council has received $80,000 funding from the Victorian Government for the new dog park.
Director Development and Planning Heather Green said that the new dedicated dog park was in response to public feedback.
“Council applied for the funding after trialling off-leash dog parks in four locations in 2018 and 2019.
“We held community consultation before and during the off-leash dog areas trial, and it showed that the community was supportive of having an off-leash area for pet socialisation as long as the location was fenced,” she said.
“Results indicated that the most popular location for a permanent off leash area was Tower Hill,” she added.
Ms Green said that draft plans for the Swan Hill off-leash dog park are being prepared now to go out for community consultation.
“Community will be able to have their say on the fenced off-leash park Master plan, and what is important to them for Stage 1 of the project,” she said.
The project is expected to be completed by mid-2021.
Ms Green said the park is not only important for pet owners, but building them also creates local jobs and boosts local businesses.
“Council has investigated funding options in both Swan Hill and Robinvale,” she added.
Ms Green said that Council is currently undertaking a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) for a possible site in Robinvale. Once a site is determined external funding can be applied for.
