TWO off-leash dog parks proposed for Thurgoona have been scrapped and another in West Albury requires more work.
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The areas within Ernest Grant Park and the Thurgoona Drive-Table Top Road corner were scrapped by Albury Council, which aimed to add to the existing five off-leash locations.
The proposed West Albury park is located between Haydon Park and Bonnie Doon Park.
But a sixth off-leash area will be established at Mungabareena Reserve due to positive feedback since the release of the Albury: A Dog Friendly City strategy last October.
Cr Darren Cameron tabled a petition with 21 signatures from residents in Wills and Guthega courts opposed to the Thurgoona Drive area.
The major concerns included dogs barking at back fences of properties, dog faeces and associated smell, location near a busy road and conflict with pedestrians.
The Ernest Grant off-leash area also met with strong opposition including its close proximity to Thurgoona Drive and its role as a major thoroughfare for school children.
Thurgoona Progress Association member Jean Townson said off-leash parks were needed.
“The suggestions would have been good, but they needed to be fenced,” she said.
“I can see the points being made by people who live close by.”
Cr Cameron congratulated the council on listening to residents.
“What I was pleased about was the community consultation actually worked,” he said.
“We would like to provide one for the dog owners of Thurgoona.
“But we are not going to do it at the expense of residents’ amenity.
“Legislatively we are required to have one in Albury but in time we will have something like six or eight.”
The concerns raised about the West Albury area centred on conflict with the existing users of Bonnie Doon and Haydon parks around the playground equipment and barbecue areas.
The council will investigate fencing the playground area or creating a fenced off-leash area.
The existing off-leash areas in Albury are in Oddies Creek Park, Alexandra Park, Logan Road, Michelle Avenue and Gordon Street Reserve.