The council position on the Park Zoning is as follows:

• The pathway adjacent to the drain in Riverside Gardens West is NOT leash free despite the council issuing a map clearly showing that it is and current signage would have us all believe that it is.
• The actual line determining the boundary of the leash free area is another white line drawn on the map which runs from approximately 4 metres into the grassed area at the water tank end tapering off to 0 metres at the bridge end. This particular section is classed as “multi use” and part of the “Bird Sanctuary”. Under the current council laws dog owners will be liable for a $50.00 fine each time they are “caught” with their dogs off the leash on this pathway. This fine can increase to a maximum of $1500.00 depending on the actions of the dog owner (for example if the fine is not paid resulting in court action).
• Currently (and until new signage is erected in the park) the rangers are conducting an”education process” whereby dog owners are being advised of the restrictions applicable to this path but not fined.
• It appears from our discussion, the balance of pathways in the park which are also designated as multi use will not be subject to this fine at this time.
• The red asphalt pathway that extends from King William Street to the park entrance (adjacent to the water towers) is NOT leash free.
• Riverside Gardens East – The section of the park from the Memorial ( where the park benches are with sculpted metal backs) all the way around, past the bird viewing platform, over the (wire) bridge joining up with the red asphalt that runs from King William Street to the park entrance is TOTALLY OFF LIMITS to dogs on or off leash.  The boundary for this ruling is Memorial Drive. Incidentally it is in this section that many dogs were observed playing off leash rather than in the wet area of the Bird Sanctuary.
• To date NO decision has been made by council re the café project or where it will be placed if it were ever to go ahead.

Having listened to the councils comments, we walked around Riverside Gardens East and the main section of Riverside Gardens West (not the playground area) on Thursday evening and below is a summary of the current signage erected.

• Along the pathway adjacent to the drain the signage does NOT indicate this is a leash on area and these are the new signs erected in 2008/9.
• The old sign at the end of the red asphalt adjacent to the water towers states that Riverside Gardens West is a leash free dog exercise area and there is no exclusion.
• On the opposing side of this sign is another sign stating that from this point on (towards King William Street) dogs must be on lead.
• All signage from the memorial on around past the bird viewing platform and over the “wire bridge” say that dogs must be on a leash at all times. This includes the entrances to the park signs at Memorial Drive and King William Street. Also the signs are new and old.
• The “Dogs Prohibited in Bird Sanctuary” signage is ALL placed on the bird sanctuary side of the path that goes all the way around Riverside Gardens East (incidentally this also includes the disputed pathway in Riverside Gardens West).

The signage would concur with our understanding of the designated Exercise Areas at the park and would appear to not concur with council opinion and or written documents that they have.

FORGWA, whilst in agreement dogs should NOT be allowed into the Bird Sanctuary under any circumstances, feel that the drain in Riverside Gardens West acts as a natural barrier and have requested council take this into consideration and remove the “on leash” restriction from this section of pathway.

As with all things, a letter has to be sent to the council making this request and then the proposal has to go through all the relevant motions until a decision is made. We aim to have this letter to council by Monday 8^th February 2010 in plenty of time for the next council meeting on 23^rd February 2010.

In the meantime, we have set up another (very short) survey, more an online petition and urge you to visit www.forgwa.com click on the survey link and answer the questions. The results which hopefully will reflect the feelings of the park users re these pathways can then be presented to council.

Many thanks for taking the rime to read this. Please advise other park visitors that you know and urge them to read this, visit the web site and register their view.

Please leave your comments below.

Together we CAN make a difference!

If you would like a photo shown on the web site,  please email (with a caption) to admin@forgwa.com and we will upload for you.

Return frequently as the FORGWA team will make every effort to respond to you. If we feel the matter is personal then we will attempt to email you.

To those of you who had already left a comment, our sincere apologies, during the revamp of the web site these were lost. If you wish, please leave the comment again.

Regards,  FORGWA    IT Team.