Station Beach will soon be declared an off-leash area for dogs on a 12-month trial basis pending the granting of a licence from the NSW Department of Industry, Lands and Water following extensive community consultation and environmental assessments.

The trial is restricted from the hours of 4pm to 10.30am Monday to Sunday and from 5.30pm to 10.30am Monday to Friday (during the daylight savings period).

The off-leash zone will be in place from the southern edge of the Station Beach wharf to approximately 110 metres north of the Beach Rd entry.

In addition, due to sensitive threatened sea grasses in the area, three small marker buoys will be set up to remind owners to keep their dogs off the sea grass area.

Northern Beaches Council CEO Ray Brownlee said the trial would include monitoring to ensure trial conditions were being adhered to.

“There has been high levels of community interest in this location being a restricted off-leash dog area for many years,” Mr Brownlee said.

“Extensive consultation, independent assessments and advice from state government agencies collected over the last six-twelve months ensured Council had the best, most up to date information at hand in making their decision.

“Council will now seek a licence from the NSW Department of Industry, Lands and Water to proceed with the trial.”

Community feedback was sought from November 2018 to February 2019 and almost 88 per cent of the 2880 respondents were in favour of the trial.

Independent environmental assessment also found the trial could proceed without a negative impact on the environment provided mitigation measures were put in place and dog owners follow the rules which will by clearly outlined on Council signs in the area.