A second area for more timid animals is proposed for Wodonga's dog park, which will double in size.
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Wodonga Council has earmarked $100,000 for upgrading the Belvoir Dog Park at Sumsion Gardens and draft plans have now been put on exhibition.
The entry to the existing dog park will be concreted and a second fenced area will be established, with the two spaces joined by gates.
Mayor Kevin Poulton said the expansion by 2545 square metres gave more choice to dog owners.
"Part of the new plan will be to create a secondary space which will be for the more timid dogs," he said.
"We've spoken to people who do use the park already ... and we encourage the entire community now to give us their feedback on the plans.
"You can't deny that almost a decade on, it's definitely serving its purpose ... it's clearly well-worn and well-used."
The decision to upgrade Belvoir Park came after a proposal to establish a second facility in Willow Park was abandoned, in response to opposition from neighbours.
Councillors Libby Hall, Ron Mildren and Olga Quilty had pushed for further investigation into land council owned or managed for the establishment of a second dog park, but were unsuccessful.
Instead, "future sub-divisions and public open spaces" will be considered for a second gated dog park.
Cr Poulton said it would be difficult to put an exact timeline on a second facility.
"The previous council resolution to back the upgrades of this (Belvoir) now is in front of people," he said.
"The consultation is open right now for the community, that'll close on June 22 and the feedback will go to council in July.
"We will need more than one of these for the city of Wodonga in the future, obviously how rapidly we accelerate that and where that space gets reserved, it would be tough to put a timeline on that."
Wodonga has 8000 registered dogs and 434 owners responded to a survey in 2019, raising that the current dog park at Belvoir Park was overcrowded.
They also indicated that the current dog park required several improvements including grass, shade, lighting, drainage and additional seating.
IN OTHER NEWS:
Lighting is not included in the draft plans, but seating is.
Some trees within the footprint of the proposed expansion will be maintained as a source of shade and a "sensory area" is within the project scope.
The existing agility equipment and ramps will be retained under the draft plans.
