THE search for an exercise park for dogs in Millicent is set to enter its sixth year.
The issue has been on the drawing board at Wattle Range Council since 2015 and the latest proposed site at McLaughlin Park has been discarded.
Staff have recommended to this afternoon’s monthly council meeting at Millicent that a dog exercise park instead be created at the rear of the Millicent Visitor Information Centre.
For much of last century, it was the sporting ground for the original Millicent Primary School and it even had its own concrete cricket pitch.
If the staff recommendation is endorsed, council will hold talks with the State Government, which owns the land, and also consult with the community.
It the third site to come under active consideration of council.
Back in 2015, an area of Millicent parklands was earmarked for a dog exercise park toward the northern end of North Terrace and adjacent to the croquet grounds and the former netball clubrooms.
This proposal was dropped and council then set aside an allocation of $16,000 in its 2019/2020 budget.
It announced a second proposal in June for an off-leash area at McLaughlin Park to be situated between the former 1980s-era netball courts, toilets and Williams Road.
Public comment was invited and four objections were received.
The opponents cited concerns with the lack of toilets, parking and other amenities.
As a result, the search resumed and other sites were considered including The Domain and the Millicent swimming lake.
Staff believe the area behind the Millicent Visitor Information Centre is best suited.
Located between Towers Road and Mount Gambier Road, the only nearby residents are at the Sheoak Lodge aged care facility.
“The area behind the Millicent Visitor Information Centre seems to be the most suitable location on balance due to existing infrastructure, space, central location and mitigation of impacts to other land uses,”the staff report says.
“A best practice dog park provides a place for dogs to not only run around but provides challenges and obstacles for the dog and the owner.
“It has facilities such a seating, shade areas, drinking water facilities, lighting and other features.
“A dog park is described as a place of social gathering and cohesion for the community that brings people together and provides a place for people and their dogs to meet and socialise.
“Like a park for people, a dog park is a highly valued place by the community.”
Many tourists travel with dogs while the latest council annual report states there are 3420 registered dogs in the council area.
