We have received a request from FK Beograd Soccer Club (the Club) to investigate changes to the current dog access arrangements at Frank Mitchell Park and Woodville West Reserve, located at Todville Street, Woodville West.

The Club has a licence for the use of the clubrooms and 2 soccer pitches, which permits dogs to be exercised off-lead at Frank Mitchell Park and Woodville West Reserve except when soccer training and matches (organised sporting activities) are in progress, at which time dogs must be on-lead.

The Club has experienced conflicts with dogs off-lead during soccer training activities and is impacted by dog waste not being properly removed and disposed of by pet owners. For this reason, it has been requested that we investigate options to better manage dog exercise which also supports the Club and player safety.

To inform a future decision on the request to amend the dog access arrangements, we are seeking your feedback on 2 options, as pictured below.

Option 1:

• Make the main soccer pitch on Frank Mitchell Park ‘on lead’ at all times (Area "A").
• The soccer pitch to the west of the main pitch to be on lead during organised sporting activities and off lead at all other times (Area "B").
• An area to the north of the main playing field, in Woodville West Reserve to be enclosed for off lead dog exercise at all times (Area "C").

Option 2:

• No changes to existing arrangements at Frank Mitchell Park and Woodville West Reserve. Dogs must be on lead during organised sporting activities but can continue to be exercised off lead at all other times.

More information

Further information regarding this request and the options being consulted on can be viewed in the report to Council’s Asset Management Committee on 18 September 2023, Item 4.62, page 18-30.

Next Steps & Timeframes

The results of this consultation and a decision report will be presented to Council’s Asset Management Committee on 20 November 2023. All consultation participants and Your Say project followers will be provided the report details, when available, and be informed of the outcome once a decision has been endorsed. An update will also be provided on this project page.

If 'Option 1' is endorsed and fencing is required to be installed in the above locations, funding will need to be considered as part of the 2024/25 budget process provision given this project was not forecast in the current financial year. If funding is allocated, the project works would likely be undertaken in late 2024 however we will provide the community with confirmation of project funding and an update on construction closer to the time.