Walking of dogs was to be banned on a footpath in Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve. I read about it some time ago now. Believe it or not it was because of birds.
A two-kilometre footpath was puzzling the Mackay Regional Council. Two years ago, about $1.1 million was used on the construction of a track at Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve and The Mackay Regional Council considered a ban on a large percentage of individuals who use the footpath – the dog owners.
At a council meeting, the councillor for natural environment, Karen May, opened a motion to the banning of dogs from the environmental reserve because their presence were disturbing the migratory birds that set up their nests near the footpath.
The Sandfly Creek Environmental Reserve is considered a very important high-tide roosting site for shorebirds in the region.
About 29 species have been recorded, which includes seven types of birds native to Australia and 22 migratory species. However, there are a number of pet friendly cottages in the area which means that lots of dog walkers use the path and it was causing problems….
The Mackay Shorebird Conservation Project has discovered that since the previous Mackay council created the track in February last year, many birds were disturbed whenever they roost in the area.
May said, “Unfortunately whether we like it or not the boardwalk is there from the previous council.”
At the meeting, May told other councillors that the continued disturbances were exhausting some migratory birds that would become too tired to travel for their yearly trip to breed in the northern hemisphere. The study reported that the dogs’ presence, even if they were waling on the leads, could result to a 41% decline in the number of birds.
Christensen, another councillor, argued that people with dogs should be allowed to continue walking their pets on the leads on the reserve.
Christensen said, “There is a question of whether the boardwalk should have been constructed, but it’s there now and it should be utilized.”
The plans never got approved and thankfully we can continue to walk our dogs there. If you are a dog lover like me, you’ll be pleased to know about the pet friendly cottages that are now open in the area as well so you can walk your dogs on holiday as well.