The community is encouraged to provide feedback on a draft Plan of Management (PoM) for the southern end of Mona Vale Beach that incorporates a proposal for an off-leash dog trial on part of the beach. 

At the August 2023 Council meeting, which reviewed the outcomes of the draft Review of Environmental Factors for proposed off-leash dog trials at Palm Beach (north) and Mona Vale (south), several follow-up actions were resolved by Council including preparing a draft PoM for both locations.  

The Mona Vale Beach (southern end) PoM addresses the management of the southern end of the beach and outlines the way this land is proposed to be used and managed.

Mayor Heins said balancing the needs and wants of the community with the sustainability of the natural environment is front and centre for Council.

“The Northern Beaches has spectacular open spaces which are highly valued by our community. We also have many dog-loving residents who would like to access some parts of some beaches to exercise their four-legged friends. We want to foster a community where we can balance the needs of all residents and our natural environment.

“This is a really complicated exercise, and Council has been progressively satisfying the various requirements that have to be met before we can make a decision regarding whether or not to proceed with a trial,” Mayor Heins said. 

Recently, the State Government (via Crown Lands, Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure) transferred the management of Crown Land at Mona Vale Beach and at Palm Beach to Council and gave consent for the draft PoM to be publicly exhibited.

Following public exhibition of the draft Mona Vale Beach (southern end) PoM, feedback will be reviewed and the outcome of the public exhibition and any final draft POM will be reported to Council. 

The draft Governor Phillip Park PoM, which includes a proposal for a dog off-leash area trial at Palm Beach (north), is also being developed and is expected to be prepared by mid-2025. Council will then seek the Department’s and then Council’s approval to publicly exhibit this draft PoM as well.  

Council is yet to make a decision about whether or not to proceed with dog off-leash trials at both locations as various steps must be completed before Council is in a position to do so. 

Until such time as such a decision is made, the community is reminded that dogs are not currently permitted on these beaches.

Please view our project page for more information on Mona Vale Beach PoM or the Governor Phillip Park PoM page.