Pheona Mulligan Story

Dear Lord Mayor,

I have been a resident of Pyrmont now for over ten years and have never been happier to call anywhere my home. I have also been a dog owner for nine of those years and I know I can speak for my dog Georgia, a maltese terrier, when I say she feels the same which brings me to the purpose of my email, over the past couple of weeks it has been brought to my attention that there is a pull by some people to make most of our parks on leash which I would ask you to reconsider as I know for a fact that a large part of being a responsible dog own is to ensure that for at least some part of the day that an owner ensures that it's doggie companion gets to freely socialise with other dogs, it is also fact that if a dog is not let off the lead when in a park with other dogs, particularly other dogs they haven't met before, that this is really where bad behaviour will show itself, as any professional dog trainer will tell you a dog that is on it's lead feels insecure and therefore will bark more and be less friendly should someone come too close to it.

In closing I would just like to say how sad I think it is to feel that many of the rights I have enjoyed as a dog owner in Pyrmont seem to be in threat of being taken away when Pyrmont and in particular Jacksons Landing has been made the wonderful place it is to live largely because of warm and friendly enviroment our community of dog owners have created and I know I speak for every single one of us when I say we welcome both other dog owners and non dog owner alike to enjoy Pyrmont and all it has to offer, one of those things being a safe and friendly place where we take dog ownership seriously while respecting the needs of others.

Please Clover do not allow the rights of the many dog owners in Pyrmont to be taken away.

Sincerely

Pheona Mulligan

Anna's Story

Dear Lord Mayor and Councillors,

I am writing in response to the proposed changes to the Pyrmont area in regards to Companion Animals being allowed On or Off leash.

I have been a resident of Pyrmont for the last 12 years, for the last 2 and a half years I have been a dog owner, and for the last 15 months, a first time mother.

The decision to buy a dog was not one I took lightly, and needless to say the decision to raise a baby in the city was also a big decision for my husband and I. However, we never knew how rich our life would become with these two inclusions, but the proposed changes will affect us deeply.

We decided to get a dog based on our proximity to so many parks, and the fact that Pyrmont / Jacksons Landing has been strongly advertised in both Real Estate campaigns as well as the Free Press as a dog friendly area.

For the past 2 and a half years I have met so many wonderful people in my local community, countless more than in the first 10 years I lived here. This is due solely to the fact that I own a dog, and socialize my dog each and every day.

Two of the most important parts of owning a dog are its training and its socialization. As a responsible dog owner we have ensured our dog received adequate training so it can too be a part of the community without fault. Socialization is an important factor of this training and essential for all dogs as well as humans in the community. A dog with very limited off-leash time can lead to behavioral problems especially when exercise time is a premium with many living in high density housing. The proposal to change and strictly limit off-leash areas in the Pyrmont community will potentially cause many problems for not only dog owners, but the general community, by creating dogs who receive less off leash time, less exercise and less quality off-leash socialization with BOTH dogs and humans.

Furthermore, as a new mother, I have also to consider my 15 month old daughter. Many may expect a new mother to fear dogs, and to wish for such strict structure to ensure my child has limited access to dogs in the community. This is quite the opposite. As a responsible dog owner I am none too aware of the fact that both dogs, children and their parents alike need access to properly socialized dogs to ensure their children can grow up learning how to interact successfully. A dog who is on leash versus a dog who is off leash will react quite differently to a child who is inexperienced with dogs. I firmly believe that if the proposed changes are made to the Pyrmont area, there will be a negative impact to the community through increased fear of dogs, who are in turn reacting unexpectedly due to their increased on leash time, and hence more isolation of the community at large.

Additionally, I also need to add how the decreased access to off-leash areas will greatly affect my access to public spaces. Because of the previously wonderful access to safe confined waterfront off-leash parks, I often double up my twice daily dog walks with my daughters 'outside time' in her pram. Now walking a dog plus a pram at the same time is no easy feat and I am limited as to where I can access safely as a pedestrian. The proposed changes to the off-leash parks will near negate my safe pedestrian access with dog and baby. Currently, I know and respect the rules that dogs are not permitted in the children's playground, this means I cannot take my daughter and dog to the playground together. So I instead take my daughter to a number of off-leash areas where I can freely and safely push the pram and my dog can actively socialize. As it has existed the current off-leash parks are safe pedestrian parks where i do not have to worry about pedestrian access with a pram, risk my dog or my pram being hit by a car, or worry about my dog being where it shouldn't whilst trying to watch my daughter. All of these issues will be ahead of me with the proposed changes to the off-leash parks. The three parks proposed off leash are either surrounded by stairs, accessed only by footpath via busy roads with limited pedestrian crossings, or close to road traffic, things which directly affect my current and existing amenity and gravely concern me with regards to the likelihood of my dog or my baby being in a pedestrian & motor vehicle accident.

I strongly implore you to further consult the community about the proposed changes to the off-leash areas for these good reasons as changes to the existing structure will greatly impact the amenity of more than just the dog-owner community.

Please see attached for photographs relating to my response.

Yours Sincerely

Anna Nichols

Stellas story of why it needs to be Leash Free

Dear Lord Mayor and City of Sydney councillors,

I wish to add my voice to those appealing to retain existing , leash -free areas for dogs and owners in Pyrmont. Since re-locating to Jackson’s Landing almost five years ago, it has been my privilege to enjoy the informal companionship offered in this dog friendly community. I have seldom been more content. My beautiful , loyal dog is now 14 years old and well known to many local residents. Many friendly conversations have been started by his presence.

Many of the people I meet, moved here because of its pet- friendliness, much promoted by developer Lend Lease and its sales arm.

In The Sun Herald of 28 Nov. 10, page 5, there is an article titled “Lonely? You’re not Robinson Crusoe”. I’d like to refer you to it. Since health problems forced me to stop work that I loved, I was one of those lonely people in the suburbs. I dread to think how bad it might have been without my dog.

I suffer from the hereditary disorder Charcot Marie Tooth disease (C.M.T.) It causes peroneal muscular atrophy, degenerative throughout life. I now describe myself as ambulant disabled, but my walking capability is greatly diminished.

It gives me great pleasure to be able to walk outside along the waterfront and in the parks with my happy dog free to sniff the trees and grass.

Yes he pees and poohs! My husband and I are diligent about cleaning up after him, and often after those less so. Dogs on-leash will still perform the same bodily functions, and people like us confined to keeping our dogs on-leash would be less able to do the ‘extras’.

Please keep the parks of Pyrmont dog and owner friendly.

Yours sincerely,

Stella Phelan

Mati's letter on Leash Free Parks

Dear Mr Driver,

Only yesterday as a resident and companion dog owner in “Jacksons Landing Pyrmont, did I discover your department has undertaken a review of the parks in our area over the past 12 months?

As a Managing Director of an architectural and urban planning company (owned and operated in Pyrmont) am appalled at this thinly veiled attempt to slip through legislation that no one asked for and undermines the undertakings given to pet owners at the opening of the water police park.

To read that based on a 260 person survey the Council is now discussing removing leash free parks from our area and providing no access to the foreshore parks unless on leash is totally underhanded and will be opposed through legal avenues at every opportunity – obviously including the next council election.

Also as someone who dutifully reads all council statements to ensure regulatory compliance is reviewed by our designers, can I ask where this survey for comment was publicised? Or is it like the Council “what’s new in the City of Sydney flyer” – it will arrive 8 days after the events have occurred?

It is incredible that your office did not contact our social group (see blog attached http://jacksonslanding.blogspot.com/ ) nor any registered owners and discuss an issue that has brought so many of us to the area as home owners. I find it implausible that of the 40 or so dog owner members of our social group alone, not ONE of us heard for this survey until the end of last week.

As seen in the attached blog it clearly illustrates our group of dog owners have a strong social network over several years that utilises our pets to greet new neighbours and meet to discuss local support and were pleased to see the old water police park after such significant public debate and consideration approved by council and our mayor as a leash free park. Now after the election and leading into a state election we are subjected to a new survey that has been misread by your department to indicate that dogs must be on a leash.

Lend Lease sells off the back of our pet owners network putting on fetes with Dr Harry and stalls, Clover Moore wins elections because of our village lifestyle, but council feels it worthless to hold meaningful discussions with registered pet owners.

Historically we have met at Cadi Park, with access to the water at the old water police site many of us were pleased to broaden our social network and enjoy a coffee at the kiosk and watch our pets swim via the steps leading to the water. As responsible pet owners we were always mindful and respected other users of the park (though apart from two fitness groups we are the main users of the park).

On Sundays we journey to the old water police park early to avoid outside groups of picnickers; Mondays we arrive late to avoid the litter and broken glass left by those same outside groups!

Your report talk of off leash parks increasing BUT the increase is nowhere near this pet friendly precinct of Jacksons Landing. The parks you nominate are impossible for our disabled members to reach and seem to be an afterthought attempt to mollify this close knit electorate. Given time I could provide a petition of thousands of pet supports within our area, but then council would have needed to contact local residents of this matter instead of just picking a couple of hundred names to discuss such an important issue with – and not one of these people were from our group?

For those of us who studied statistics in university, statistically the survey indicates that several thousand (at 40% of the those survived) want easy access (foreshore access parks that can be enjoyed by local resident families.

I can not stress this issue more strongly , that off leash parks need to be a part of our local area and council needs to consider current parks that have for so many years been off leash remain so for the sake of those of us who actually frequent these spaces. The concept of green space is something that needs to be enjoyed not just photographed for the City of Sydney public relations department.

Please provide us pet owners with the forum to discuss this matter – we elected a councillors that listen and is collaborative.

Best regards

Mati Jaas

A family enjoying the park with their baby and dog

What Clover Moore said recently

Sebel Hotel, Pier One, Walsh Bay

Tuesday, 17 August 2010

Thank you, Katrina Warren, MC and good morning to everyone. I would like firstly to acknowledge the Gadigal people of the Eora nation, the traditional custodians of this land.

I’m delighted to be here to support the launch of this Pets in the City Guide. I’ve lived in the inner city for most of my adult life, and for most of that time, our family has had dogs, Staffies that are a very significant part of our lives.

Encouraging a pet-friendly City is a high priority for me.

The physical and psychological benefits of pet-owning are so well-documented now it seems strange that many building owners or body corporates have been so slow to catch up with the reality. ($4 billion annual health savings / physical / emotional benefits / highest rate of ownership in the world )

However, newer developments are adapting and we have major developments like Jackson’s Landing at Pyrmont, Moore Park Gardens in Redfern, and others in the CBD, Darlinghurst and Surry Hills that explicitly provide for pets and pet-owners. It’s a welcome and overdue change.

In fact, at Jackson’s Landing there are 200 dogs resident in the complex and our creation of Pirrama Park on the foreshore, on the old Water Police site, has given them a fantastic place to play.

Local government can – and should – support this trend. Pet ownership helps to build community, it gets people out and talking to each other– particularly those who would otherwise be isolated – and it provides measurable physical and psychological benefits.

At the City of Sydney, we’re working to make our city a more dog-friendly place, and we’ve vastly expanded the number of off-leash areas in our parks so that our dogs can get a healthy run and play freely.

But we are equally keen to promote responsible pet ownership and we run pet education programs – both for owners and non-pet owners – as well as various services for pet owners.

It helps make the City a friendlier place and pet-ownership brings great joy to a lot of people. This timely booklet, packed with useful information, will not only help pet-owners. It will also help build an urban culture which welcomes and supports companion animals and their owners. Congratulations to Suzy Willis and all those at the Pet Care Information Advisory Service for this excellent resource.

I’m pleased to support its messages.

Related information: | Animal Welfare | Speeches |

Jacksons Landing from "Pets in the city"

View Publication Online - Download PDF (3.97mb)
www.petnet.com.au


http://www.petnet.com.au/sites/default/files/PIAS_-_public_open_space_and_dogs.pdf

Progressive pet -friendly developments
are fast becoming a model for others
With more than 2,600 people living on approximately
12 hectares, a new residential community created
by Vivas Lend Lease at Pyrmont Point in Sydney
has become one of Australia’s largest pet-friendly,
waterfront developments. Jacksons Landing utilises
practical, clever and attractive design solutions to cater
to both pet and non-pet owners.
Almost 200 dogs live at the development, which
boasts plenty of open parkland and special doggy-do
bins. Residents have even formed a group called the
‘Pyrmont Pooch Party’ which meets regularly to hold
parties for their pets and owners in one of the estate’s
harbourfront parklands. Some people who have
moved to the Pyrmont Peninsula development found
the lifestyle so appealing that they became the happy
owner of their fi rst dog.
“The great cities of the world have pet-friendly
apartments, and we have followed their example,”
said Hugh Martin, the Executive Director of Vivas
Lend Lease. The pet-friendly approach has been a
great success, and is fast becoming a model for other
residential developments.
The developers have ensured their apartments and
open spaces are pet-friendly by having:
• Large safe balconies
• Good insulation and soundproofi ng
• Floor-to-ceiling windows so pets can also enjoy
the view.
The residential community has been taking shape for
the past 12 years and has regular campaigns devoted
to attracting residents with pets, including lavish Dog’s
Breakfast events. An estimated 1,800 dogs and their
owners attended each of these two free events, which
featured vets, trainers and animal organisations, pet
fashion shows, dog sports, contests plus many stalls
and demonstrations.
“The Dog’s Breakfast events are a practical way of
showing dog owners that our residential community is
a great, pet-friendly place to live with plenty of space
to exercise animals and enjoy the lifestyle,” says Hugh.
“Being pet-friendly certainly adds to the appeal and has
helped convince many people to buy here. We also
believe our pet-friendly policies and features increase
the value of the apartments when it comes time for
vendors to sell.”
Dog’s Breakfast at Jacksons Landing
overcoming pet permissibility issues 25

Off Leash changes need to be stopped

Dear Sir/Madam

I refer to your submission about the City's leash proposals for parks in Pyrmont.

A report on the proposal will be considered by the Environment and Heritage Committee on Monday 29 November 2010.

Copies of the Committee agenda including the assessment report are available to the public online (report will be available for view/download around noon) at

www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Council/MeetingsAndCommittees/2010/Committees/291110/environment.asp

A guide for persons wishing to address the Committee is available online at the link below.

www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/Council/MeetingsAndCommittees/GuidelinesForSpeakers.asp

The subsequent recommendation of the Committee will be considered by a full meeting of Council the following Monday. The decision of Council will be made publicly available in the minutes of the meeting published on the City’s website.