We are truly a dog loving city, with more than half of our homes having a four-legged friend, compared with just 38 per cent across NSW. Many people consider their dogs to be part of the family, and they wish to have places for their dogs to run free.

Council has set aside $250,000 in the 2018-19 financial year to fund the first of four planned new off leash dog parks, one in each ward of our LGA. This proposal is part of the draft Dogs in Open Spaces Strategy, which is now on public exhibition.

Developed after extensive community consultation, the document will guide the provision, improvement and management of off leash areas over the next 10 years.

Also on public exhibition is another strategy that proposes a range of new outdoor exercise facilities to keep Novocastrian humans in great shape along with our canine friends.

Camp Shortland, South Newcastle Beach, Cooks Hill's Nesca Park, National Park in Newcastle West, Stockton's Griffith Park and Fernleigh Track at Adamstown are among the proposed new hubs for chin-up bars, sit-up benches and other static fitness apparatus.

View the draft strategies online at  newcastle.nsw.gov.au/YourSay. 

 Hard copies can be viewed at: City administration centre, Newcastle Region Library and Wallsend District Library.