Tallows bird protection

Paul Bibby

Byron Council will ramp up measures to stop dog walkers tramping through the fragile waterbird breeding area next to the former South Byron sewage treatment plant (STP).

Yesterday’s full Council meeting heard that people were regularly walking their dogs, often off-leash, through the site to get to Tallows Beach.

Many of the walkers were reportedly guests at the Ingenia caravan park.

The walkers often strayed off the sealed dog-walking track, which had the potential to significantly disrupt the breeding activities of the 70-plus bird species found in the reserve.

‘In a bird survey at Tallow Creek carried out by Byron Bird Buddies on October 23, 77 bird species were counted, mostly at the old South Byron STP site,’ said Independent Councillor, Cate Coorey.

‘On that morning there were several dogs not on leads, and one on its own no lead, no collar.’

‘The Ingenia Caravan Park… and presently markets itself as dog friendly. There has been a marked increase of foot traffic from the direction of the park over the past year, much of it with dogs.’

Following a marathon debate, councillors voted unanimously to introduce six measures to address the issue in the short and medium term.

This included increasing the presence of council compliance officers who would be tasked with ensuring dog walkers stuck to the sealed path.

The council will also inform the management of the caravan park that ‘access through the former South Byron sewage treatment plant is prohibited and those entering this area will be considered trespassing’.

In addition, council will request a meeting with Ingenia CP to decide the best alternative beach access route from their site, and consult with various stakeholders to develop a communication and education program for local dog walkers.

Finally, council staff have been asked to prepare a report on the feasibility of fencing which could be built on its land to prevent beach access.