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Dogs and Playgrounds

With numerous parks where dogs can be exercised off-leash, North Sydney is a dog-friendly area. However, the Companion Animals Act 1998 imposes some restrictions in relation to dogs and playgrounds.

As per North Sydney Council's Local Companion Animal Management Plan, all Council parks and public reserves are off-leash areas with the exception of:

  • St Leonard's Oval (No. 1 and 2);
  • all playing fields whilst organized sporting events are in progress;
  • all bushland areas;
  • Cremorne Reserve, Clark Park and Ancrum Street Park.

Under the Companion Animals Act 1998 - Section 14, dogs are also prohibited in the following public places:

  • In or within 10m of any children's play areas;
  • food preparation and/or consumption areas (unless it is a public thoroughfare such as a road, footpath or pathway);
  • recreation areas where dogs are declared prohibited;
  • public bathing areas where dogs are declared prohibited;
  • school grounds (unless with the permission of the person controlling the grounds);
  • child care centres (unless with the permission of the person controlling the centre);
  • shopping areas where dogs are prohibited (unless secured in a vehicle, with the permission of the person controlling the place or going to or from a vet or pet shop); and
  • wildlife protection areas.

All dogs in public places must be under the control of a competent person. Council is required by the State Government to enforce the laws concerning dogs, and Rangers may issue on-the-spot fines for infringements of the regulations listed above.

This information and more about dogs in the North Sydney LGA is available in Council's free booklet, Dog Control in North Sydney which may be obtained through Council's Ranger Services Department or Customer Service Centre.

Parks, Playgrounds and Reserves

> Parks
> Playgrounds
> Reserves