Campaspe Shire Council has announced two dog parks to be developed in Tongala and Kyabram as part of the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure program.
The 2024 Budget, which was adopted in a council meeting on Tuesday, June 4, mentioned the allocation of $500,000 towards two off-leash dog exercise parks in Kyabram and Tongala.
Exact locations have not been confirmed; however, Edis Park in Kyabram and Brose Reserve in Tongala have been dog-eared as “likely locations” while waiting for regulatory checks to be undertaken for the project.
Campaspe Shire Council communities director Jo Bradshaw said officers had worked with representatives of Tongala and Kyabram to identify suitable locations for the parks.
She said Brose Reserve in Tongala is VicTrack land, and “council will seek to lease this location” before furthering the development.
The project is still in the early stages of development, with the design phase expected to be completed by September 2024, before progressing into construction.
The projected completion date is expected by June 2025.
Mrs Bradshaw said new off-lease dog parks in the Campaspe Shire would “let dogs have some freedom”.
“While owners are to have voice control over their dog at all times, it is difficult to train in an open environment,” she said.
“An enclosed space allows owners to work on their dog’s obedience to voice commands and improve recall.
“They also provide social, physical and emotional wellbeing opportunities for owners.
“Not only do the dogs make new friends, but it allows their owners to be active, make connections and new friends as well.”
The dog parks are a part of a larger list of capital works in development that were mentioned in the budget, including $13.15 million to renewing roads infrastructure, $0.63 million for Stanhope Two Tree Rd floodway bridge deck renewal, $0.58 million for a public amenities program, $0.68 million for playgrounds, parks and gardens and recreational facilities, among many others.
The 2024-25 budget can be publicly accessed on the Campaspe Shire website.