Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint

Council has listened to community and stakeholder feedback and made several amendments to enhance the final plan. Improved community safety, carefully considered changes to off-leash areas and enhanced protection for environmentally sensitive zones are the key elements of the new plan.

Dog exercise areas are activity spaces provided by Council that promote social and physical health for dogs and their owners. There are more than 54,000 registered dogs in the region, which is projected to grow to over 80,000 by 2046.

The Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint 2025–2045 (PDF, 17448KB) vision:

‘A network of safe and suitable Dog Exercise Areas that meets the current and future needs of our growing Sunshine Coast communities, while protecting the natural environment and culturally sensitive landscapes.’

Dog exercise area network - future provision (by 2045)

How the future provision will look

DEA_current%20and%20future%20stats%20diagram_WEB_1920x1080pix.jpg

On-leash areas

Pathways: Over 1,600 km
Beach access
- Current: 21.8 km
- Future: 17.9 km
  (3.5 km of the 3.9 km reduction is Rocky Foreshores).

Off-leash areas

New (parks + beaches): 23 locations
- 3 Council-wide
- 3 District
- 17 Local
Park facilities
- Current: 35
- Future: 57
  (22 new and 8 upgrades to existing)
Beach access
- Current: 12 locations – 16.9 km
- Future: 12 locations – 16.4 km
  (1 new and 1 less, 500 m net reduction).

Additional key points

73% of our region’s beaches have provision for dogs
(34.3 km of the total 47.1 km beaches)
Total off-leash locations
- Current: 47
- Future: 69.

Visit our interactive, mobile-friendly website to identify the dog off-leash and prohibited areas: pets.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au. You can also access the site via Council’s app.

There are also many commercial entities currently operating across the Sunshine Coast region offering opportunities for dog exercise and socialisation. Examples of these entities include dog-walkers, doggy daycares, dog trainers and more. These facilities and services supplement Council’s dog exercise area offerings by providing specialised opportunities for dogs and their owners to socialise and exercise.

Why dog exercise areas are important

Council supports dog exercise areas for their benefits – improving pet wellbeing, fostering community social wellbeing and connectedness and encouraging outdoor activity.

Council promotes responsible ownership, helping dog owners understand regulations for leashed walks, off-leash parks and shared spaces. Visit the Dog parks and off-leash areas to access these tools. View the Fact sheet (PDF, 304KB) for more information.

What's changing

Park network expansion

22 new off-leash park facilities (three Council-wide, two District, 17 Local)
Upgrades to eight existing sites (fencing improvements)
Total: 57 off-leash park locations by 2045.

Beach access

Changes to beaches Fact sheet (PDF, 347KB)

73% of beaches remain dog-friendly (34.3 km of 47.1 km coastline)
1 new off-leash beach access
Beach wash-down facilities and improved signage
Total: 12 off-leash beach locations (16.4 km)
Sensitive areas including rocky foreshore locations are now better protected.

Standards of service

Council-wide: Large destination parks (≥3 ha) or beaches (>1 km).

District: Larger parks (≥10,000 m²) with small/large dog zones.

Local: Smaller parks (≥2,000 m²) within walking distance.

Locations

See the documents listed below for current and future dog exercise area provision:

Parks provision list and map (PDF, 993KB)
Beach provision list and map (PDF, 860KB)
Beaches and foreshore changes maps (PDF, 10420KB)

Stumers Creek, Coolum Beach

Community input highlighted the importance of maintaining the unique site’s character of the site, so only minor changes will occur. Visitors arriving by car or walking their pets past the carpark must keep dogs on-leash until they are at least 10 m beachside of the carpark. This measure improves safety for pedestrians and motorists. The existing off-leash zone, which extends approximately three kilometres north and south of the creek, will remain unchanged. The on-leash area within the creek mouth will remain unchanged.

View the Stumers Creek map (PDF, 1471KB) and Fact sheet (PDF, 417KB).

Currimundi Beach

To improve harmony and safety near the busy carpark, shops, picnic areas, and swimming zone, dogs will no longer be permitted to cross the mouth of Currimundi Lake between Beach Access 253 and 254. There is no change to the existing off-leash area north of the lake (beach access 253). South of the lake, the current 1.25 km off-leash area will continue, stretching to just north of Ann Street (approximately 50 m north of Beach Access 262). A slight adjustment introduces an additional 50 m buffer adjoining the Dicky Beach Bathing Reserve to protect the patrolled swimming area.

View the Currimundi Beach to Ballinger Beach map (PDF, 1617KB) and Fact sheet (PDF, 442KB).

Maroochy North Shore

A seasonal closure of 500 m of beach on the southern spit area will be implemented from October to April each year, to safeguard threatened migratory shorebird high-value roosting areas. A new off-leash area of 670 m will be provided at Mudjimba South to offset the seasonal closure at North Shore.

View the Maroochy North Shore maps (PDF, 1784KB) and Fact sheet (PDF, 416KB).

Headlands and rocky foreshores

A restricted dog area at Point Perry, Point Arkwright, Point Cartwright, Moffat Headland and Caloundra Headland, has been established.

These zones are an important breeding, foraging and nursery ground for marine plants, fish, reptiles, birds and other wildlife and keeping dogs away reduces stress on these fragile habitats and helps protect them.

View the Headlands and rocky foreshore maps (PDF, 5836KB) and Fact sheet (PDF, 268KB).

Environment reserves

In many environment reserves, dogs will still be welcome on-leash. Dogs will no longer be allowed in some reserves with very high conservation values. This is to protect our sensitive plants and wildlife from disease and habitat loss.

View the Fact sheet (PDF, 268KB).

Sports fields

On sports fields, dogs will need to be kept off active playing surfaces but can still use common areas while on a leash. A permit process will continue for organised dog events.

View the Fact sheet (PDF, 249KB).

Multi-criteria risk assessment

Council use a Multi-Criteria Risk Assessment (MCRA) (PDF, 10134KB) to look at the risks of allowing dogs on or off-leash in beaches and foreshores, recreation parks, environment reserves and sports fields. This process weighs up the important values of the area and considers things such as, the site’s purpose, any relevant legislation, council plans and policies, environment, social and safety factors, and community feedback. Each site is assessed using these factors and anything else relevant to the site, to guide decisions.

^{Please note:}^{The risk assessment documents contain complex tables, technical terminology, and detailed assessment data that may be difficult to navigate and interpret, particularly for users relying on screen readers or other assistive technologies. We acknowledge that this format may present accessibility challenges. If you require assistance accessing or understanding the content, please contact us for support.}

Can I request a dog off-leash area near me?

Dog parks are among the most requested facilities on the Sunshine Coast. As population grows and household lot sizes shrink, demand for public dog exercise areas will continue to rise. This is why Council have established the Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint 2025–2045 (PDF, 17448KB). Development of the plan has been based on current data and future dog ownership trends, industry research, and consultation with community and stakeholder values. The plan provides a coordinated approach that identifies where future facilities will be required, which alleviates the need for community members to request new spaces.

Community engagement

The Sunshine Coast community value the regions parks and open spaces with consultation on the plan revealing strong community interest. Extensive community consultation underpins this plan, and Council thanks community members and stakeholders who contributed.

Consultation occurred between 4 February and 7 March 2025.

Key engagement statistics

Over 6,000 residents living close to dog exercise areas were directly invited to provide feedback
18 pop-up sessions held across the region
Nine focus group sessions held – these workshops brought together 55 representatives from key associations, first nations, veterinarians, disability, dog education, and beach and environmental groups
Over 2,300 people completed the survey
Most supported creating new dog parks and were generally positive about changes to environmental areas and sports fields.

The community had different views:

Dog owners generally opposed increased restrictions and advocated for expanded off-leash areas, particularly along beaches and foreshores
Non-dog owners tended to support tighter controls, highlighting safety, environmental protection, and the need for clearer and more frequent regulation and signage
These differences were critical in shaping the final plan.

Council have listened carefully and made several key amendments in response:

Two future dog parks in the Eumundi and Coolum area (to total 22 proposed additional dog parks)
Strengthened beach and foreshore access planning
Greater recognition for social values attached to these spaces
Further balancing environmental protection and cultural heritage.

Council is committed to ensuring we strike the right balance between creating recreational spaces for dog owners and non-dog owners alike, while maintaining safe, accessible and enjoyable spaces for everyone.

For further information and a copy of the Community Consultation Report see Council’s Have Your Say Sunshine Coast - Draft Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint.

Next steps

Council will begin delivering the action plan in stages, subject to funding and annual budget processes.

Before any changes to dog access can go ahead, the local laws need to be updated. This will happen in 2026 and the community will be kept updated throughout the process.

Timeframes

Short-term (2025–2030): Priority upgrades and new sites.
Medium-term (2031–2040): Additional facilities.
Long-term (2041+): Final network delivery.

Funding

Implementation of the plan’s future capital investment will be considered through Council’s annual budget process and long-term capital works planning cycles and identifying opportunities to leverage external funding sources such as, grants and developer contributions.