Dogs must be on lead in all public places, including parks, walkways and beaches, unless signed otherwise. Your dog must be under effective control and dog owners must always carry a leash, even in off-leash areas.
During a sporting event or training session, dogs within 20 metres of the event or training session will need to be on a lead and are not allowed on the playing surface. These restrictions will only apply when the event is taking place to minimise disruption to the participants. If scheduled events are cancelled or don’t go ahead for any other reason, then these restrictions would no longer apply for that scheduled time and the event / training space would revert back to an off-lead area.
These actions have been proposed to provide a better balance for users of our public spaces, in particular areas that are off-lead and are also utilised by sporting clubs.
To help dog owners plan their walks and avoid times when these spaces are not available, we publish scheduled events and games on our website: https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/explore-the-city/sport-and-fitness/sporting-reserves-and-grounds.
You will find signs on sportsgrounds, parks and reserves with QR codes that lead to the schedules on our website as well.
We understand and appreciate that many of our sporting ovals are well-used spaces and that most dogs are well controlled around sporting events. We hope that these changes will minimise the chances of dogs running through and interrupting games and reduce any potential tension between sporting groups and dog owners.
Organised sport refers to when a club has pre-arranged with council to use a sports field.
Effective control means:
You can view organised sporting activity and training schedules at various sporting reserves and grounds in Port Phillip here: https://www.portphillip.vic.gov.au/sporting-reserves-and-grounds.
There are signs on various sporting reserves and grounds with a QR code you can scan to find out the organised sport and training schedules as well.
These changes apply to all areas within Port Phillip. This includes Alma Park, Elwood Park Reserve, JL Murphy Reserve, Lagoon Reserve, Peanut Farm Reserve and North Port Oval. This does not apply to Albert Park reserves as they are managed by Parks Victoria.
Officers will regularly patrol sports grounds during games and training, and will respond to reports of game disruptions from the sports clubs. Penalties may be issued if owners allow their dogs within 20 metres of organised sport or training.