Looking After Our Wildlife, Nature Strips and Off-lead Dog Areas

Cumbalum is full of beautiful nature strips and wildlife with frequent sighting of wallabies, echidnas, and wide variety of amazing bird species not to mention our favourite Kookaburras that abound in the area.

Off Cummings Crescent at the bottom of the hill is one of the entrances to the fire trail, park and off lead dog areas that meander through to the catchment area. This area is commonly used by the neighbourhood children and dog owners.

For some time now, a main issue that has not yet been resolved is the problem of dog droppings not being picked up by the owners, leaving the park and play areas in a less than desirable and welcome state and quite frankly inappropriate for children to play around in. Needless to say, it is the dog owners responsibility to pick up these droppings and to keep the area clean for children and adults to best utilise the spaces.

The CRA has approached Ballina Shire Council requesting that a dog poo bag dispenser be installed at the entrances of the park to assist with reminding dog owners of their responsibility and supporting with the cleanliness aspects. Ballina Shire Council has shared that this is currently part of their plan and due to roll out shortly (this was shared in a meeting in 2018).

Off-lead dog areas in Ballina are not common, in fact such limited spaces are currently only found around:

1. Compton Drive Dog Park in East Ballina

2. The Dog Exercise Beach in Ballina also known as the "Spit"

3. The Eastern Reserve Area in Ballina Heights Estate

Further off lead dog areas area also found in Alstonville, Skennars Head and Lennox Head.

We are very lucky to have such a space in Cumbalum as most dog owners will recognise the importance of dogs being allowed to exercise off leash or unrestrained. Hence dogs are free in these areas to roam around and socialise under the supervision of their owner. That said, allowing your dog off lead comes with responsible actions on behalf of the dog owners. Dog owners are asked to use this area responsibly and respectfully in terms of always picking up the dog droppings, but also ensuring that their dog listens to their command (can be called back to the owner on command) and does not chase wildlife such as wallabies or birds, and does not scare or startle children, adults or other dogs and is overall respectful towards others users of the park be this other people, dogs or wildlife.

More about the rules and regulations of off-lead dog areas can be accessed on the Ballina Shire Council website

A communal area means an area that it is for equal use by all and respectfully so!

A big thank you in advance to everyone for looking after our spaces and keeping them clean and safe!