A plan to fence off part of a popular South Hobart park for dogs has been scrapped, after most locals who took part in a council consultation opposed it.
The Hobart City Council voted on Monday night to drop the $180,000 project at Lower Wellesley Park, which was due to be finished by July 1.
The decision overturns part of a vote the council made in February.
The council had asked residents for feedback on the design and received 185 responses.
About 80% were against the fenced dog park, while around 15% were in favour and 5% were mixed.
Many said they did not want an open green space divided by fencing.
Others said nearby Upper Wellesley Oval, which is larger, already met the need. The oval is about 12,420 square metres, compared to just over 2,000 square metres for the proposed dog park.
Much of the meeting dealt with a separate issue – a ban on dogs at South Hobart Oval, which starts on July 1.
Council officers said the two issues were not linked and the ban would go ahead regardless of what happened with the fence.
Councillor Mike Dutta disagreed. He said the February report stated the ban would ‘only come into effect’ once the fence was built, so dropping the fence should also mean dropping the ban.
Alderman Louise Bloomfield tried to move an amendment to scrap the dog ban as well, but it did not proceed.
“I just also wanted to express my disappointment in the fact that we still don’t really have a resolution that allowed something satisfactory for the actual residents of South Hobart,” Bloomfield said.
Councillor Gemma Kitsos said the outcome showed the council was willing to listen.
“This is an example of us actually listening and changing course to show that we’re not actually afraid to change the vote on something once we’ve done the engagement that’s required,” she said.
Scrapping the fence frees up about $150,000.
A separate $30,000 for fencing at Upper Wellesley Oval will still go ahead, to keep wildlife off the playing surface, not for dogs.
Lower Wellesley Park will remain an off-lead area, except within 10 metres of the playground.
The dog ban at South Hobart Oval still starts on July 1.
