Redland City Council vote to give dogs more freedom with amendments to the Register of Animals in Public Places

The amended laws will see pooches allowed to be walked on a lead in the Wellington Point Reserve as well as Beth Boyd Park in Thorneside.

Dog controls, or lack thereof, have been the subject of a heated debate for years with residents petitioning to change legislation at Wellington Point Reserve in February last year.

A six month trial will now allow the pooches to be on a lead any time in the reserve, including in the picnic and playground areas and on a small area of the designated swimming beach. Dogs are still prohibited on bathing reserves.

Pets have previously been allowed on leashes on the beach during the week, and before 9am and after 4pm on weekends, but dog lovers believed the laws were too restrictive.

In November council asked the community for feedback on a proposal to reduce the number of locations where dogs on lead were prohibited or restricted. A total of 348 submissions were received.

Officers presented their report in council's general meeting earlier today.

There were a total of 32 submissions from Wellington Point residents with 16 in favour of changes at the reserve and 16 against.

As the results were unclear, officers agreed it would be better to trial the relaxed laws for six months.

Cr Wendy Boglary said Wellington Point Reserve had been a hot topic for some time.

"If we allow the dogs to be there, they will always have to be on a lead, including in the environmental area out to King Island," she said.

Signage will be erected to remind dog owners of the new rules and council compliance officers will continue to patrol the reserve.

Other changes include dogs on leashes allowed along Redland Bay Esplanade, and in Yeo Park, along the foreshore at Victoria Point.

Pooches will not be allowed at Swamp Box Conservation Area, Capalaba.

Cr Peter Mitchell said people loved their pooches in the Redlands.

"But people love their safety too and they have every right to be safe...taking your dog out on a leash comes with great responsibility," he said.

He said he supported penalties for people who chose to do the wrong thing.

Cr Paul Bishop said it was good to see Swamp Box had remained a dog prohibited park.

"It's important to find the right balance," he said.

Cr Julie Talty said there were two very distinct opinions in the community.

"Those who believe dogs are members of their family and should be able to go where they go, and others who have concerns relating to safety and hygiene when people don't pick up after their dogs.

"Council has to take into account the safety of all members of the public, as well as dogs, and I believe the amendments voted on today balance these expectations with those of people who want to explore our naturally-wonderful open spaces with their pets," she said.