Pheona Mulligan and Georgia my nine year old Maltese Terrier

Dear all,

I would just like to take the time to once more add my voice to the discussion regarding changes to the existing off and on leash parks in Pyrmont and Jacksons Landing.

These purposed changes will greatly affect many people who own dogs in our community as well as those residents who love dogs but can't have one due to their own busy schedules but still enjoy the time they and their children get to spend with our doggy friends in the park area's we have here. Many people have commented to me personally that they love the fact that their children get to interact and play with the dogs at the parks as it means they don't need to feel bad about not adopting a dog for their own home, it is the perfect situation for them, they get the interaction with our dogs and their children are then content with just having some play time with mans best friend and thus don't complain to their parents that they want a dog for their own home.

The one park area that needs to be left as an off leash park is Caddy Park as this is the one area that all dog owners agree has the perfect situation; it is away from the roads; it is small and we can keep an eye on our four legged friends; and it is not near either barbeques or childrens play areas and it has some protection from the elements for the dog owners thus at some time during our walks with our dogs we all eventually end up there.

Importantly I also must add is that from a personal point of view that due to my physical disability Caddy is the closest park area for me to use and the safest as many of the friends I have in the area live in the apartments surrounding the park and should I ever need assistance all I have to do is call and someone is there for me in a matter of minutes, one such situation occurred just weeks ago when my motorised scooter gave up the ghost while at Caddy with my Maltese Terrier Georgia and all I had to do was ring one of my dogggy friends from the apartments and they came down and checked the scooter for me, luckily she helped me get it moving again so I could get home.

In closing I would just like to say that well trained dogs who are socialised with other dogs and humans alike do not need to be on a leash and in fact having them on leashes while around other dogs on leashes creates issues as the dog feels trapped rather than protected while on leashes around other dogs and people they haven't met before.

Please reconsider making any changes regarding the dogs on leashes issue as I know in my heart this will alter our friendly and welcoming community of both dog and non dog owners forever.

Thanking you

Pheona Mulligan and Georgia my nine year old Maltese Terrier