YDRA 2025 AGM- Report by the Dog Park Sub-Committee
In the year since our report to the last AGM, we have progressed slowly but surely, to agreement on a site for the proposed dog park.
DCY conducted a public consultation on the proposal including that it should be sited at Bungala Park, on the lower level at the end closest to Hay Flat Road. The consultation period closed in mid-November 2024 with the results analysis finally available at the Council meeting on the 18th February 2025.
The following motion was passed at that meeting:
- 1. That Council receives the Yankalilla Dog Park Proposal – Consideration of Development and Ongoing Responsibilities Report.
- That Council notes the results from the public consultation received for the proposed Dog Park at Bungala Reserve, Normanville.
- That Council authorises the Chief Executive Officer to commence discussions with Friends of Normanville/ Yankalilla Dog Park Committee on suitable agreement models and explore in more detail the likely responsibilities and project costings for the proposed dog park at Bungala Reserve.
- That the Administration works with its lawyers and/ or insurers to investigate suitable agreement models on how responsibility for these tasks on Council land can be transferred and that results of this review (and the discussions with Friends of Normanville/ Yankalilla Dog Park Committee) be reported back to Council for approval at a future date.
- Any agreement model must include explicit statement(s)/sections that recognise that any and all costs related to the establishment and ongoing operations will not be at net cost to Council and must be borne by the committee responsible for the dog park.
We have requested a meeting with Council staff at the earliest opportunity, to progress the proposal to the next stage. It is worth noting here that although the Port Elliott Dog Park was constructed from funds raised by the Friends group – except for the fences which were installed by Council – the dog park itself is a Council asset and facility. The Friends of Port Elliott Dog Park, a committee of Port Elliott Town and Foreshore Association, continue to provide maintenance support for the park via working bees and fundraising activities.
In the meantime, we have continued to raise funds for the construction of the dog park. The recent donation of $10,000 from the South Australian CWA is greatly appreciated and gratefully acknowledged. We hope to be in a position to apply for grant funding once we have a clear written agreement from the Council. It is after all, on Council land and any grant application requires the written permission of the landowner for the construction.
The Dog Park Sub-Committee remains confident that funding will be secured as well as volunteers and gifts in kind, to establish the facility. This is a project which will enhance the social cohesion of the Yankalilla District, which has over 1,600 registered dogs. Many owners are of an older demographic and do desire a safe space to exercise and socialise their pets, as well as enjoy some social interactions themselves, while not necessarily striding along a beach or over a golf course!
