Dog owners may soon have more options if proposed changes to the current dog bylaw come into play.  Council is looking at making changes to off-leash areas in Te Aroha and Matamata and is asking for feedback from residents from Tuesday, 7 September – Sunday, 10 October. Off-leash areas are where dogs can run free while still being under verbal control.

“In recent years, the Matamata and Te Aroha communities have let us know they want more off-leash areas,” said Mayor Ash Tanner. “We looked at a range of options that could make potential dog exercise areas and hope they agree with the spots we’re looking at.”

In Te Aroha, Council is looking at creating a new fenced off-leash area in a portion of the reserve on Spur Street, expanding the current Spur St Esplanade area under the footbridge (which will be managed by the community group K9 Club Te Aroha but available for everyone to use) as well as removing the boat ramp area, changing it from an off-leash to an on-leash area, as it’s prone to flooding and has the Hauraki Rail Trail running through it.

“We haven’t been keen on having the boat ramp as an off-leash area for a while now, as generally unleashed dogs and bikes don’t mix. We’re hoping the much larger space we’re looking at adding will do a better job of giving the dogs a good run-around without owners having to worry about people biking and walking on the trail,” said Mayor Ash.

In Matamata, Peria Road Reserve (the portion excluding the memorial plantings and pathway) has been identified as a good addition to Matamata’s four existing off-leash areas at Furness Reserve, Founders Park, Centennial Drive and Tom Grant Drive. “Last year we received a proposal about Swap Park as a potential location but community feedback was mixed so we had a good look around for an alternative,” said Mayor Ash. “A few of us met with this person, to float the Peria Road Reserve and he agreed it had merit and is supportive of the idea,” said Mayor Ash. “He’s keen to bring the same enthusiasm he had for the Swap Park concept, to the Peria Road Reserve, which is fantastic.”

“We’ve got some really great individuals and groups in the community who are willing to go over and above to make the place they live extra special,” said Mayor Ash. “We’re confident these spaces, although they may not be perfect in everyone’s eyes, could make a positive difference to the dog owners in our district and offer more places for them to go, if they want them”.

Residents, whether they are dog owners or not, can have their say on any or all of the proposals and can opt to share their thoughts with the Mayor and Councillors in person at a Council meeting on Wednesday, 03 November 2021.

For more information, maps of the current and proposed off-leash areas in Te Aroha and Matamata and to have your say, head to mpdc.nz/offleash for Te Aroha and mpdc.nz/unleash for Matamata.