Proposal for Dogs on Leash in the Lewiston Wetlands & Reserves Trails
We are proposing to make the Lewiston Wetlands & Reserves Trails a dog on leash area and need your feedback.
On this page: Background / Have your say / Frequently asked questions / Documents
Consultation now closed
Dogs are now required to be on-leash in the Lewiston Wetlands and Reserves Trails, to improve community and animal safety.
Background
The Lewiston Wetlands & Reserves Trails are 7 kilometres of remnant vegetation reserves linked by shared trails. They are a popular place for people to walk, run, cycle, ride their horse or walk their dog.
The Lewiston playground and off leash dog park are connected to these trails.
Under our Dogs By-law 2019, dogs must be on leash in any ‘wetland area’ (clause 5.2). However, not all of the Lewiston Wetlands & Reserves Trails are classified as a wetland. Under our Dog & Cat Management Plan 2022–2027, dogs can be off leash (under effective control) on the Lewiston reserves. This understandably causes confusion.
Concerns have been raised about the mixed rules for dogs on or off leash in the trails leading to confusion for people walking dogs, and possible conflict between dogs off leash and horses.
What we are proposing
We are proposing to designate the Lewiston Wetlands & Reserves Trails as a dog on-leash area. This would provide clarity for people walking dogs about what is expected. It will also provide confidence for horse riders that dogs will be on leash. It also addresses the uncertainty around which parts of the trails are designated as a wetland (with dogs required to be on-leash) or reserves (where dogs can currently be off-leash under effective control).
If introduced, a common sense approach to compliance and issuing of fines is intended to address owners walking their dogs off leash, under the By-law.
If introduced, we will seek approval from the Dog and Cat Management Board to update our Dog & Cat Management Plan, and update the signage on the trails.
Have your say
Consultation was open from Wednesday 16 October to 9am Thursday 7 November 2024.
Frequently asked questions
Our Dogs By-law 2019 requires dogs to be kept on a leash no longer than 2 metres in length at all times in:
- Any Council land that has signs marking a dogs-on-leash area;
- Parks when organised sport is being played;
- Within 5 metres of, or in, an enclosed playground and;
- Any wetland or coastal area (including parks, roads and verges).
Dogs may be off leash on community land, unless it has been designated as on leash under our By-law or by Council resolution.
Effective control means that the dog is secured by a strong leash, no longer than 2 metres, which is either tethered securely to a fixed object or held by a person capable of controlling the dog and preventing it from being a nuisance or a danger to other persons.
It also includes a person exercising effective control by command, the dog being in close proximity to the person, and the person being able to see the dog at all times.
Documents
Last updated 23 April 2025