Consultation Updates

Council has endorsed minor adjustments to the City’s Dog Beach Exercise Areas, with most existing arrangements staying the same.

Seven zones will have minor boundary adjustments to better match beach access points, whilst two locations will trial a new Seasonal On‑Leash period from 1 Dec 2026–28 Feb 2027, 9am–5pm:

• Zone 6 – Ford Rd to Brown St
• Zone 38 – Smiths Beach

We will also roll out clearer, updated signage. The trial Seasonal On-Leash will be reviewed after the 2026/27 summer season. Over the coming months, the City will be seeking expressions of interest from community members to inform design of the new signage.

Changes will not take effect until 31 July 2026, subject to 2026/27 budget approval.

To view the video recording of the Ordinary Council Meeting, or the minutes from the meeting (available in the coming weeks), visit Minutes and Agendas » City of Busselton(External link)

We thank you for your time and input throughout this process. Your feedback played an important role in shaping the final outcome.

Update 11/12/25- Council Outcome 10 December 2025

The Review of Dog Beach Exercise Areas was presented to Council last night (10 December 2025). Councillors resolved to defer the decision until the Ordinary Council Meeting on 25 February 2026. This deferral, scheduled after the busy summer period, ensures Councillors have adequate time to carefully consider the breadth and diversity of the over 3000 community submissions and apply the due diligence such an important decision deserves.

No changes have been made to current dog beach designations at this stage. Community members can continue to use these areas as usual under existing conditions.

Officers were not recommending any changes until the 2026/27 summer season, and this deferral means a decision can still be made prior to that period.

Rangers will continue proactive patrols at locations with seasonal or prohibited controls to monitor compliance and ensure recommendations remain aligned with on-the-ground observations.

Beach users are reminded that these areas are shared spaces. If you have concerns about responsible dog management in any public areas, please contact the City’s Rangers team (08 9781 044).

Minutes from the Council meeting will be available on the City’s website in the coming week.

Rotary Park is about to undergo a transformation!

Following community consultation earlier this year, as well as feedback from the City’s Disability Access and Inclusion Group, the Rotary Park playground will soon be upgraded.

The new design will include:

• A toddler, standard and all abilities swing

• Soft-fall matting that is wheelchair accessible to elements within the play space

• A carousel

• Multi-play unit with slide

• A ‘Grasshopper’ climbing structure with slide

• Shade sails covering the playspace

Our team will be working hard to complete this exciting new playground by the end of 2025.

Update 28/11/25

Thank you to everyone who took the to provide feedback during the consultation period held from Monday 30 June to Sunday 10 August 2025.

Officers have now completed their analysis of all community feedback received for the proposed Dog Beach Exercise Areas. An agenda item containing officer recommendations has been prepared for the Ordinary Council Meeting of Wednesday 10 December 2025. The Council will be asked to consider this agenda item at that meeting and to make a decision then.

To view all Council agendas and minutes, please visit the City’s website: Minutes and Agendas » City of Busselton

For further information about Council Meeting processes and procedures, please visit: About Council and Committee Meetings » City of Busselton

Please note that the public are welcome to attend the meeting in person or may choose to watch the live stream on the City’s YouTube channel: City of Busselton - YouTube

Thank you again for your participation.

Over many years of consultation and research the City is proud to announce the completion of the installation of new granite plaques at the Old Busselton Cemetery. The project was able to identify an additional 750 individuals, increasing the known number of burials from 250 to nearly 1,000- a mammoth effort. To read more about this project click here.

To ensure correct installation works, the Rotary Park playground upgrade is now on hold until the new year. Due to the current high water table, it is unsafe to install the poles for the shade sails at this stage. The City will reassess condition in the new year and aim to resume works once the site is suitable for installation.

Thank you for your understanding.

Upgrade installation works will commence at the Old Broadwater Farm Playground from Wednesday 27 August 2025.Following from community consultation earlier in the year, the Between the Trees Concept was chosen (pictured).

Key features include:

• Custom Playpark Structure – A multi-level play area with climbing, sliding, and imaginative play elements.
• Sensory Play Panel – Fully accessible feature engaging for sight and touch.
• Rain Wheel - A fully accessible feature offering inclusive sensory play.
• Talking Daisies - A fully accessible communication feature that allows children to talk and listen to each other through connected units

The installation is expected to be complete by early September.

You can view further information relating to the consultation and design concepts via the project page: https://yoursay.busselton.wa.gov.au/new-river-park-playground-upgrade

Exciting progress at Holgate Reserve – the playground installation was underway last week as part of the upgrade works. Here's what's coming:

• New all-access playground
• Shade sails to keep things cool
• Fresh earthworks & irrigation
• New turf adjacent the playground
• All-access BBQ & picnic furniture for perfect park days

If the weather plays nice, we’re on track to reopen by the end of September 2025.

The project page can be found here: yoursay.busselton.wa.gov.au/holgate-reserve-park-upgrades