Warwick Dog Off-Leash Area

A DOLA is a Dog Off-Leash Area. DOLA is just a different term for a ‘dog park’ but recognises that the DOLA is a specific ‘area’ within a ‘park’. By using this now commonly adopted name, a DOLA emphasises that your dog can be off-leash only in the specific area.

A DOLA is a public use facility that enables residents and visitors to our region to allow their dogs to run, exercise and socialise with other dogs in a more contained way. 

Although many of us know our own dogs and their behaviour pretty well, when confronted with other people and dogs, they can become anxious and behave unpredictably. 

Equally, some people are nervous around dogs (even your dog that ‘wouldn’t bite anyone’), so the DOLA provides a way of segregating dogs, people, traffic and other park activities from conflict and danger.

Firstly, it’s important to observe and follow Council rules in relation to the park you use. It is an offence to allow your dog to be off-leash outside these areas. 

In the Southern Downs, you are required to keep a dog on a leash and under your control at all times when in a public place, other than where exceptions apply- like a DOLA. As above, dogs can be at risk of harm, or harming other dogs and people, if not controlled and contained. 

This is a legal requirement of everyone who has a dog in the Southern Downs (resident or visitor), enforceable under Council Local Law No.2 (Animal Management) 2011. Council makes local laws in accordance with the powers given to it by the QLD Local Government Act 2009, meaning the local law is an enforceable instrument.

In Queensland, the Animal Management (Cats and Dogs) Act 2008 sets out obligations for registering and microchipping of dogs aged 12 weeks and over. This applies to all dogs, whether you use a DOLA, walk it on a leash or it's always on your property. Registering and microchipping your dog and ensuring their contact details are kept up to date improves their chances of being safely returned to you if they are lost or escape. 

It is also respectful to others - and keeps our towns tidy - to carry a bag to pick up any of the dog's faeces as required.

In 2019, Council developed a basic fenced dog exercise area on the banks of the Condamine River at Queens Park. The location was in the flood flow zone – which hadn’t been much of an issue through a decade of drought! After being damaged in a flood in May 2022, the dog exercise area was all but destroyed by a flood of the Condamine River.

Council has developed a guideline document with some key guiding principles which, once finalised and adopted, will become the ‘bible’ of how Council will develop consistent DOLA facilities for the Southern Downs. 

The first proposed DOLA by the new guiding principles and design will be in Warwick and will be what will be referred to as a ‘Regional DOLA’, comprising three separate zones- small dogs, larger dogs and an agility zone with obstacles and features to train dogs.

In the fullness of time and as demand requires it, the guideline provides for a smaller two-zone DOLA called a ‘Local DOLA’, which will be ideal for development in smaller parks in the smaller villages of the Southern Downs.

Council’s goal is use existing land in the Warwick area and avoid needing to spend ratepayer money to acquire new land for the purpose of building the DOLA. Council staff have undertaken an assessment of a range of larger parks which could accommodate the DOLA. Amongst a range of factors, the assessment has considered the following essential criteria:

• Available budget
• Flood resilience
• Size and location of the site to enable development of a quality DOLA 
• Other park uses and users
• Proximity to the town centre 
• Ease of access for residents and travellers 
• Parking
• Existing services such as toilets and access to water/power

In March 2023, Council conducted two ‘drop-in’ sessions where residents were welcome to come and view a range of design concepts for the DOLA and discuss potential sites with staff. This initial engagement was highly informative and will now enable Council to provide more detailed information on the SDRC website and undertake a short survey of residents for broader feedback.

At the completion of the survey, advice will be provided to Councillors and a proposed course of action will be communicated to the Warwick community.

Based on the essential criteria for the project to be viable, there are only a few practical sites available, and some are better than others. A short list of sites that are being proposed are:

• Victoria Park (northern end adjacent to Pratten Street)

• Mel Gibson Park (a range of options for placement)

• Bisley Street green belt (between Bracker Road and Cullen Street)

• Queens Park (adjacent to the corner of Palmerin and Alice Streets)

• St Marks Park (between the football fields and the highway)

A range of other parks in the Warwick area have been considered. This included Australiana, Barnes, Mile End, and Henry Joppich Parks. Each one of them presented one or more of the following challenges:

• Not centrally located and/or easily accessible from all directions by road for residents/travellers
• Lack of all-weather, sealed road access
• Minimal land issues in terms of ground contamination
• Located in an isolated location, adding to safety concerns for some residents
• Limited access to toilet facilities, water or power as part of the site
• Inadequate size to enable the development of a quality facility which will draw the community together

The previous site was covered by Council’s insurance and a portion of a new facility will be funded by the payout for the destroyed former facility. 

Council has now also received a Local Recovery and Resilience Grant to provide additional funding, enabling the establishment of a quality facility for residents and travellers alike. This will ensure that a new facility can be built in a location which is not flood prone and will be a lasting and valuable public asset.

It is Council’s goal that, in developing the new DOLA, Southern Downs ratepayers will not have to contribute any further funding.

At the conclusion of the survey process, advice will be provided to Councillors about resident acceptance of the DOLA concept design and preference for its location. From there, Council proposes to progress to detailed site-specific design and construction at the earliest opportunity. 

Subject to all the necessary planning and funding, Council hopes to be providing a new facility by the end of 2023 or early 2024. Council will continue to update residents of key developments.