Next step for Hervey Bay dog beach rules

Published on 25 March 2026

Fraser Coast Regional Council has taken the next step in rolling out simpler dog rules for Hervey Bay beaches.

At its meeting today (Wednesday 25 March 2026), Council agreed to begin updating animal management local laws following the rollout of the first stage of changes to dog access along Hervey Bay beaches last month.

Animal Management spokesperson Cr John Weiland said the local law amendments would allow Council to introduce the next stage of the changes later this year.

“These changes are about making the rules simpler for everyone using the beach,” he said.

“Dog owners told us they wanted clear rules about where their dogs can be off-leash or on-leash, while many beachgoers also wanted dog-free swimming areas.

“The changes give dog owners more space to exercise their pets while making sure our busiest swimming areas and important wildlife habitats are protected.”

Stage 2 changes planned for later in 2026 include:

• An extended dog-free stretch from Scarness Jetty to Robert Street
• A new dog-free stretch from Reef World to the Urangan Marina, creating a simple landmark-to-landmark boundary
• A seasonal shorebird protection zone between Pulgul Creek and Moolyyir Creek from 1 September to 31 March
• Updated beach signage once the changes are finalised.

The changes follow the introduction of Stage 1 in February, which focused on making the rules easier to understand and did not require changes to local laws. These included:

• Scarness: Tooan Tooan Creek to Scarness Jetty – 24-hour off-leash
• Urangan: Margaret Street groyne to Dayman Park (Reef World) – 24-hour off-leash
• Urangan: Moolyyir Creek to Pulgul Creek – 24-hour off-leash (until Stage 2 begins)

On-leash areas remain available for people and dogs who prefer them. If a beach is not signed as off-leash or dog-free, dogs must be on a leash.

Cr Weiland said new signage, updated maps and community ranger education had already been introduced to help people understand the new rules, which followed extensive community consultation and feedback.

“Please remember that off-leash does not mean out of control. Dogs must remain under effective control at all times and respond reliably to recall,” he said.

“Off-leash areas are places where dogs will naturally approach and interact, so owners should make sure both they and their dog are comfortable socialising around other people and dogs.”

The proposed local law amendments will now progress through the required process, including consultation with State Government agencies and public consultation, before the final changes take effect in the second half of 2026.

Residents can view the updated map and learn more about dog etiquette at frasercoast.qld.gov.au/dog-zones