Dogs in public places

Within the City of Greater Geelong, unless otherwise designated by signage, all public open spaces are designated On-leash – controlled areas. Public open space includes roads, footpaths, beaches, reserves, parks, playgrounds and other council lands and buildings.

• View Parks and Reserves with On-leash Areas

More specifically, these include:

• all roads, footpaths, nature strips and shared paths
• shopping centres
• high use pedestrian and/or cycling areas (such as the Waterfront Precinct)
• sporting complexes and reserves during times of organised sports
• at Council sanctioned/approved events, markets etc
• shared used paths or walking trails and including areas either side of the abutting edge of the path (except those designated Off-lease – Supervised Area)
• dogs being within and/or tethered within ten metres of children’s play equipment
• dogs being within and/or tethered within ten metres of picnic and barbecue areas (as defined by council provided barbecues and/or tables and associated seating)
• in areas designated as environmentally significant
• jetties and piers
• water bodies such as creeks, rivers and lakes unless signposted as a dedicated swimming area for dogs
• beach foreshore and coastline areas (except those designated otherwise).

Supervision for off-leash areas means:

• the handler must have a dog lead in their possession and place their dog back on the leash when leaving the off leash area
• the handler must be able to demonstrate audible control of the dog
• dogs must remain in visual and audible range of their handler to allow it to be effectively recalled at any time
• when encountering other people or animals using this area, the dog must be recalled and restrained until both parties have moved apart at a safe distance
• dogs must not enter water habitats that contain wildlife, beach nesting birds or chase wildlife in these areas
• dogs attracted to the motion of wheels must be controlled at all times
• Dogs that are aggressive to people or other dogs, behave in an anti social manner, or are over excitable should be muzzled when in public and not to be off leash
• dogs declared menacing/dangerous/restricted breed are not permitted to be walked off-lead in ‘Off Leash – Supervised Areas’

Signs will clearly indicate those parks, reserves or public open spaces where dogs are permitted to be off a leash and supervised.

• View Parks and Reserves with Off-leash 'Supervised' Areas

A range of sporting grounds and ovals are also available as 'off leash – supervised' areas, but only outside times when they are being used for organised sports, including training.

• View Parks and Reserves with Off-leash 'Supervised' Areas (playing areas available outside of sports/training times

A dedicated fenced pet park is located at Stead Park. Please see local signage for the terms and conditions of use.

A timeshare zone is an area where dog walking conditions will change depending on the time of day or during certain times of year. Conditions can change between off-leash, on-leash and no dogs allowed.

You can check the conditions of a timeshare zone by selecting it on the dog walking map above.

Areas where dogs are prohibited for reasons of:

• extremely high environmental sensitivity
• where there is an Order by Council
• the land management authority (not being Council) has prohibited dogs under their own rules or legislation.