A group of dog owners are barking back at a proposal to shorten the off-leash Campaspe River Walk Track.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council’s review of ‘Dog off-leash and prohibited areas for dogs and cats’ proposes to shorten the track, to stop off-leash dog walking from the Piper Street Bridge to Jennings Street.
Kyneton resident Julius Peiker said dog walkers felt passionate about keeping the space for off-leash purposes.
“We don’t want to lose that off-leash area and we’re struggling to understand the rationale,” he said.
“There doesn’t appear to be a clear link between bad dog behaviour and cutting the track.
“People love using this off-leash walk to exercise their dogs. There are people that drive to Kyneton from Woodend and Malmsbury just to use it.”
A group of about 51 residents (and 37 dogs) met to discuss the proposal earlier this month at the Barry Doyle Rotunda on Piper Street.
Points highlighted included limited evidence to justify the change and unintended consequences such as parking changes for use of the site and loss of community connection.
The proposed changes to dog off-leash and prohibited areas for dogs and cats are still under consideration, as well as the council’s Draft Domestic Animal Management Plan 2026–2029.
MRSC’s director of planning and environment Rebecca Stockfeld said a review of the off-leash times along the Campaspe River Walk was informed by feedback from the first stage of a community consultation in 2024.
Ms Stockfeld said dog attacks had not been reported as an issue in this area but non-compliance with existing requirements was.
“Officers have also taken into consideration reports by residents from surrounding streets (near the western end of the walk) of non-compliance with existing on-leash requirements by dog owners walking to/from the Campaspe River Walk with their dogs,” she said.
“Officers have proposed to retain a large portion of the Campaspe River Walk as an off-leash area, within the same times currently in place.
“Officers have proposed changes to the start/finish points to extend the off-leash walk further east toward Hurry Reserve, and reduce the off-leash area that is directly near residential housing areas reporting impacts of off-leash dogs in the residential streets.”
Community members concerned about the Kyneton changes have invited West Ward councillors to discuss the proposal at the Barry Doyle Rotunda on Sunday, August 31, at 9am.
To have your say and view the proposed changes at this location and other dog off-leash and/or prohibited areas throughout the shire, visit: yoursay.mrsc.vic.gov.au/furry-friends
