Site planning

Best practice guidance for site planning

Decision framework

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Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint 2025-2045

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Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint 2025-2045

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Sunshine Coast Management Plan for Domestic Animals (Cats and Dogs) 2021 - 2030

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Sunshine Coast Management Plan for Domestic Animals (Cats and Dogs) 2021 - 2030

There are a range of Australian Standards/best practice guidelines, relating to this category. Key documents are referenced throughout and in the LIM Dog exercise areas (DEAs) - Standards.

Local laws

A new DOLA requires the making of an amendment to the Subordinate Local Law No 2 (Animal Management) 2011, including any designated time limits.

Local laws provide for different types of areas for dogs in parks, reserves, beaches and foreshores, as follows:

Local laws - control of animals in public places

Dog owners are required to comply with local and state government requirements and ensure their dog(s) do not encroach on other park activities or uses. Clear delineation of these areas through signage is required under the local law.

Local Law No 2 (Animal Management) 2011 - Section 13(1):

The owner or responsible person for an animal must ensure that the animal is not in a public place unless -

(a) the animal is under effective management; and
(b) the animal is not causing damage to property or harassing, intimidating or otherwise endangering the health and safety of another person or animal; and
(c) if the animal is a declared dangerous animal - the animal is securely restrained so that it is not able to do any of the following -
- (i) attack a person or animal;
- (ii) act in a way that causes fear to a person or animal;
- (iii) cause damage to property;
- (iv) otherwise endanger the health and safety of a person or another animal.

Site decisions

DEA/DOLA

The DEA network allows dogs and their owners to access a variety of off-leash and on-leash experiences within Council owned and controlled open space. This includes beaches, environment reserves, recreation parks, other public areas and 1,600km of pathways.

Key terms outlined in the Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint:

Dog exercise area (DEA)

Activity spaces provided by local governments that promote social and physical health for dogs and their owners. Some of these areas allow dogs to be off-leash while others only allow dogs that are restrained on a leash. DEA facilities can be either fenced or unfenced.

Dog off-leash area (DOLA)

A DOLA is a public place established by local government, whereby a dog is allowed off-leash but under full control of the owner in accordance with the relevant animal related State and local laws. DOLAs are defined and demarcated by signage, fencing and/or geographical features and may have restrictions in terms of daily hours or time of year where dogs are allowed on or off leash (Queensland Government, Department of Environment and Science, 2022).

Multi criteria risk assessment

Council have developed a decision making framework and multi criteria risk assessment (MCRA) tools to assess the potential impact of DEAs on existing and future DEA sites. MCRA are important tools that provide a consistent and objective approach to site risk assessments with the intent to protect core values and guide rational and appropriate decision making into the future.

An MCRA and associated Pairwise assessment must be carried out as part of any new DOLA project.

See DEA site assessment criteria - Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint 2025-45 for further guidance.

When considering the compatibility of current and proposed DEA’s, an assessment is carried out where each type of open space is weighted against the purpose and function of the site/location. Thus, supporting appropriate consideration for primary values. The assessment is undertaken and acknowledges the benefits of dog ownership to the community including companionship, wellbeing, social interaction, and physical exercise.

A Pairwise Assessment (nationally recognised assessment) method whereby items are evaluated by comparing them against each other in pairs, rather than individually against a set of criteria. The approach is utilised in various fields for ranking preferences, making decisions, or assessing performance. In essence it focuses on relative judgement rather than absolute evaluation.

Following the Pairwise assessment, a Multi-Criteria Risk Assessment (MCRA) is undertaken to assess the risks associated with dog access (on and off leash) against the values identified for a specific location or type of open space. The MCRA applies the percentage weightings for each value identified through the pairwise assessment, and the assessment considers the specific site context and associated values, management intent, legislative and policy context, council staff knowledge regarding management of the site and feedback from the community during the consultation on the Plan, in relation to each site being assessed.

A Risk Assessment Panel of Sunshine Coast Council Officers has been established to support current and future dog exercise area location opportunities by undertaking a Pairwise Assessment and Multi-Criteria Risk Assessment. Panel membership includes officers from relevant teams to ensure technical information is considered as part of the assessment.

Facility hierarchies

The Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint incorporates all of Council’s open space networks, which includes a revision of the provision rates and service catchments to account for all council-managed dog exercise areas. This includes providing a hierarchy of dog exercise area types and service catchments to ensure that residents and their dogs have reasonable access to a range of different facilities.

The Plan introduces the following facility hierarchies and associated service catchments:

Council wide – 20 km service catchment (includes beaches)
District - 7.5 km service catchment (includes beaches)
Local – 2 km service catchment

Council-wide

Large, dedicated areas for off-leash dogs to exercise and socialise that provide unique, destination experiences that attract dog owners from within and outside the Sunshine Coast area.

District

Larger areas that provide increased running area, small and large dog separation, enhanced dog activity areas and are suitably embellished to support social dog group gatherings.

Local

Smaller areas that are accessible to local communities that provide opportunities for dog exercise and socialisation.

DOLA facility types

Dog Off Leash Areas (DOLAs) provide a great opportunity for dogs to exercise freely. The Dog exercise area regional plan and network blueprint outlines the three types of DOLA facility types:

Fenced DOLA

Large secure, fully fenced space with open grass areas freely open to the public for the purpose of exercising and socialising dogs off-leash. Suitable for all facility hierarchies.

Unfenced DOLA

Large open space grass areas that are demarcated by natural landforms (such as vegetation, waterbodies or sloping land), bollards or pathways. These spaces should avoid being located near roads and vehicles to avoid risk of accidents and should not be located near children’s playgrounds or areas where community members congregate in parks or sports grounds. Suitable for Local or District hierarchies. Access may be timed or untimed.

Beach DOLA

Stretches of coastline with defined access points that provide beach and natural water play opportunities for off-leash dogs that are situated away from environmentally sensitive areas. Suitable for District or Council-wide hierarchies. Access may be timed or untimed.

Design phase

Once a panel assessment has been completed and the site risk deemed acceptable, the project can progress into the design phase.

All decisions, including the location of the embellishment and related infrastructure, must be made in conjunction with council (determined by site location), including officers from such areas as:

Council (Parks and Gardens)

Council (Environmental Operations)

Council (Customer Response)

Council (Communication) for all graphic design services and manufacturing support for sign templates.

Council provides a list of dog off leash and prohibited areas. See Exercising dogs.

Council also provides an interactive map for dog off leash and prohibited areas.

Users

Consult with council stakeholders, neighbouring properties and identified park users in the planning stage of a project.

Site conditions

Consider the physical characteristics of a site and requirements of the various activities to be conducted:

good drainage, flat or gently sloping surface
location of utilities
flood immunity requirements.

Co-location of facilities

Consider locating DOLAs near other facilities e.g drinking fountains, bike rails, car parking and public transport.
Adopt principles of Crime Prevention through Environmental Design (CPTED) Guidelines for Queensland - Locate DOLAs to allow users to feel safe, and to provide an opportunity for supervision and casual surveillance.

Potential site conflicts

Providing a DOLA should not impede on the functionality of the adjoining park infrastructure and spaces as outlined in the ELS and RPP.

Ensure that the minimum size metric for kick and throw areas is not compromised.

DOLAs are often located in existing parks with established activity areas, parking and connection pathways or in new areas (greenfield sites).
Locate DOLAs away from:
- conflicting activities, such as sports facilities, skate parks, exercise equipment, picnic nodes.
- residential areas, where possible, to avoid noise issues. The Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint states a minimum of 20 m offset from dwellings is preferred for new DOLAs.
- away from high use bikeways and busy roads to avoid accidents.
- a barbecue facility or playground (especially all abilities play spaces). Under local laws, dogs are prohibited within 5.0 m of barbecues and playgrounds.
- areas of cultural significance.
- hazards such as waterways, fire and flood prone areas, sewers and stormwater drains, underground services and power poles.
Reduce conflict with other park elements encountered traversing the connection pathway to the DOLA from the carpark e.g. keep pathway at least 5.0 m away from a playground or barbecue area.
If the DOLA is proposed to be located near environmentally sensitive areas, you must consult Council (Environmental Operations).
- Locate away from existing wildlife habitats or corridors to limit the likelihood of dog interactions with wildlife.
- Locate DOLAs away from environmentally sensitive areas, e.g. bird feeding or roost areas.

Fenced vs Unfenced

Councils preference is for a fully fenced DOLA. However in some circumstances an unfenced DOLA may be the only site specific solution after a risk assessment (e.g. flooding constraints). This decision is at the discretion of Parks and Gardens. See the Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint for further guidance.

Separate fenced areas – large and small dogs

To determine whether the park requires one combined DOLA enclosure, or a DOLA with a separate small enclosure, please see Table xx: DOLA enclosures.

See also the Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint for further guidance.

Table xxx: DOLA enclosures

Hierarchy	Fenced DOLA enclosure(s)
Council-wide DOLA	Separate enclosures are recommended as per the plan.
District DOLA	Separate enclosures are recommended as per the plan.
Local DOLA	Where there is sufficient space allocated for the DOLA (3000 m² to 4000 m²), separate enclosures are recommended as per the plan. Where there is the minimum requirement of space allocated for the DOLA (2000 m²), a combined facility can be considered.

Planning for sustainability

Refer Design principles – Sustainability for guidance.

Planning for future works

Co-locate embellishments requiring similar services e.g. water, to reduce infrastructure, where possible.
Where underground utilities are installed, set brass markers to concrete slab edges to indicate the location.
Consider installation of additional conduits under concrete slabs for future provision, where utilities (e.g. electrical, water) and irrigation systems are planned. Ensure additional conduit is capped to prevent ingress of water and debris.
Consider climate change impacts on the embellishment location and construction ¹.
- In coastal areas, or near waterways, design should consider rise in sea level predictions, storm tide, salt inundation and severe storm events.
- Positioning should also consider flooding, seasonal/ephemeral water bodies and water table changes.
- Near bushland areas, design should consider the occurrence of bushfires.

^{Source 1: Sunshine Coast Environment and Liveability Strategy 2017.}