Long grass ‘dog threat’

By Melissa Grant
CARDINIA Dog Group chairman Ed Kirby says poor maintenance of Toomuc Nature Reserve’s off-leash dog park is posing a threat to residents and their four-legged friends.
Mr Kirby said the Cardinia Shire Council was failing its duty to ensure a safe place for locals to let their dogs run free.
“They (council) only mow there three or four times a year,” he said.
“It’s quite unsafe to take dogs through.”
Mr Kirby said although council had originally set Rotary Park aside for a dog park, the nearby Toomuc Nature Reserve had also been signed as an off-leash area.
Mr Kirby said while Rotary Park was mowed every fortnight, long grass at the Toomuc Nature Reserve was cause for concern with the snake season fast approaching.
But a Cardinia shire spokes-person said the council was doing enough to maintain land at Rotary Park and the Toomuc Nature Reserve.
The spokesperson said council mowed Rotary Park monthly and the open paddock towards the railway at Toomuc Reserve six times a year.
Land which contained indigenous vegetation would be managed appropriately in keeping with its high environmental value, while council had increased the frequency of mowing near walkways at the parks, the spokesperson said.
But Mr Kirby said while some grass was native, the area where he took his dogs to play was not.
“I don’t know how to describe it, but it’s not native,” he said.
Mr Kirby said pet owners also needed to be cautious at Lilliput Lane’s off-leash park where kangaroos often roamed.
“From time to time when I’ve been there I’ve seen them,” he said.
“An average person might not see them because they’re not looking for them.”
Mr Kirby said despite the problems, most residents seemed to be enjoying the dog parks three months into the council’s 12-month trial.
He said the CDG had run dog play sessions at Parks around Cardinia during October which attracted as many as 39 pooches.
“The dogs love to run and play with their owners and other dogs,” he said.
The CDG will hold a meeting at LLINC, Henry Street, Pakenham, on 22 November at 7pm which all residents are welcome to attend.
Those wanting to know more about off-leash park locations can email messy_pawz@bigpond.com or contact Ed Kirby on 5941 3853.