Dog walkers could be forced to pay to use parks in Sydney’s inner west
Dog walkers could be forced to pay to use parks in Sydney’s west
- Inner West Council to submit draft policy
- Commercial dog walkers pay a permit fee
- The policy also requires dog walkers to have insurance
Dog walkers could soon be forced to spend more than $550 just to take the furry animals to a public park.
A new policy introduced by the Sydney Inner West Council would require professional dog walkers to carry a permit in any council park or off-leash area.
Under the draft Parks and Open Spaces Commercial Dog Walking Policy, commercial dog walkers must pay $552.60 per year for a permit.
The policy also requires dog walkers to be 16 years or older, hold a current first aid certificate and an animal first aid certificate, have public liability insurance of at least $20 million and professional indemnity insurance of at least $5 million.
A maximum of two professional dog walkers are allowed per day per park, while only one is allowed access to an off-leash park at any time.
Under the Inner West Council Parks and Open Spaces Commercial Dog Walking Policy draft, commercial dog walkers will have to pay a $552.60 annual fee for a permit to use a council-owned or off-leash park ( stock image, woman walking two dogs)
The draft will be presented to council on September 12 with recommendations and will be available for public feedback for four weeks.
The council estimates there are around 42,000 dogs belonging to two in five households in the Inner West area.
Suburbs in the region include Annandale, Newtown, Croydon, Marrickville, Leiwsham, Stanmore, Camperdown, Enmore, Rozelle and Ashbury.
The council claims the permit fees are not ‘unreasonable’ given the amount dog walkers charge per hour.
“The proposed license and permit fees are not considered unreasonable given that commercial dog walkers in the Sydney metropolitan area currently charge dog owners an average of $35 per hour per dog for walking and socialization activities,” the draft policy said.
If the bill is adopted, the Inner West Council will become the second in Sydney after Lane Cove Council to require professional dog walkers to use public parks.
In 2013, Lane Cove Council approved a licensing scheme for professional walkers after a council groundskeeper was attacked by a dog.
The Inner West Council will be the second in Sydney to require professional dog walkers to use public parks if the tour goes ahead.
Popular off-leash parks in the Inner West Council area include Balmain’s Birrung Park, Petersham Park (pictured) and Camperdown Memorial Rest Park
If implemented, Inner West would become the second council in Sydney to charge dog walkers for the use of its parks.
Lane Cove Council introduced a permit system in 2013, charging professional walkers $2,200 a year, after a dog attack on a council groundskeeper.
Popular off-leash parks in the Inner West Council area include Petersham Park, Balmain’s Birrung Park and Camperdown Memorial Rest Park.
Inner West Council staff believe the permits will boost the dog walking industry and bring it in line with commercial businesses using public spaces including fitness classes and cafes.