FAQs

The purpose of the AMP is to provide the City with a strategic framework to assist in defining policy direction, service programs, initiatives and action plans for improving animal management between 2025 – 2030. The AMP will apply to any land within the City where domestic animals are kept or proposed to be kept.  

A central aim of the AMP is to promote the benefits of pet ownership and celebrate the positive aspects of owning a pet whilst balancing the amenity and needs of other community members.

Further information can be found in the Council Minutes.

At a Council meeting in September 2024, the following Council decision was made. 

That the Council:

1. Receives the results of the community survey undertaken through Your Say, ‘Tails of the City’, and acknowledges that 75% of respondents use beach dog exercise areas which includes seasonal areas.

2. Support the continuation of the existing seasonal dog exercise area restrictions for the upcoming applicable period (1 December 2024 – 28 February 2025), with the following additional controls to be implemented by 30 November 2024:

a. Improved and increased signage.

     b. Increased Ranger presence.

c. Targeted community education on responsible dog management off-leash.

3. Support the planned consultation approach and timeline for development of a draft Animal Management Plan (AMP) as described within the officer comment section of this report.

4. Request the CEO further review the following factors related to seasonal dog exercise areas model to inform the AMP including:

a. Location of dog exercise areas.

b. Transition zones.

c. Applicable season and timing.

d. Monitoring of usage and compliance issues during the restricted period.

Further information can be found on the in the Council Minutes.

You can view a interactive map of the proposed Dog Beach Exercise Areas under 'Places' or in list format under "Documents". 

The proposed changes have come about based on feedback provided in the survey in 2024 and the workshops in April 2025.
These proposed changes have now been opened up to the wider community for further feedback. Once consultation closes, officers will review feedback and conduct a ranger analysis before presenting a recommendation to Council later in the year. 

There are multiple ways for the community to provide feedback on the Draft Animal Management Plan and proposed Dog Beach Exercise Areas. 

You can provide feedback on the AMP here.

You can provide feedback on the Dog Beach Exercise Areas here. 

Hardcopy formats of the above surveys are available upon request. 

Rangers will be available at a variety of pop-ups to have a chat, or complete an online or hardcopy survey. 

You can also send an email to city@Busselton.wa.gov.au 

Consultation is open for 6 weeks from 30 June 2025 to 10 August 2025. 

The following methods have been used to advertise this consultation: 

• Bay to Bay e-newsletter
• City Connect Newspaper advertising
• Social media posts- including Facebook and Instagram
• Email to all workshop and previous survey respondents, as well as key stakeholder groups
• Email to all property owners within a walkable catchment of each area with email addresses
• Email to all pet owners registered in our database with email addresses
• Letter to all property owners within a walkable catchment without email addresses
• Posters on display in City of Busselton Libraries
• Flyer handouts by rangers on patrol
• Post on the City's website under 'Community Engagement'
• Listing on City's Your Say consultation page
• Signs attached to dog disposal bags at beaches where changes are proposed
• Multiple 3 hour pop-ups at local shopping centers in Busselton and Dunsborough
• VMS trailer display
• Provided flyers and posters to local vets and animal hospitals