The City of Wanneroo is considering creating new dog beaches for the first time in more than a decade, with three new locations being proposed in Mindarie, Alkimos and Two Rocks.
In response to a 2021 city coastal management plan, which identified the need to investigate additional dog beach locations to cater for the area’s growing population, city officers have now put forward their preferred locations, which the council will consider next week.
The proposed new dog beach locations are a 1.9km stretch of beach south of the Mindarie Marina at Clayton’s Beach and an 800m stretch of coastline south of the Shorehaven coastal node in Alkimos.
Officers have also recommended extending the existing Two Rocks dog beach by a further 1.6km south.
Camera IconNew dog beaches could be created in Mindarie, Alkimos, and Two Rocks under a City of Wanneroo proposal. Credit: City of Wanneroo
The expansion plans come amid a surge in dog ownership across the city, with the number of registered dogs more than doubling from 18,500 in 2012 to 39,289 in 2025.
City officers said the city’s population had increased by more than 77,000 people over the past 14 years, but there had been little change to dog beach access.
“Since the initial (coastal management plan) was adopted by council, the city has experienced a significant population growth, and substantial increase of approximately 2100 dogs each year,” city officers said in a report to council.
“Despite this increase, the only additional dog beach being created in 11 years has been a 340m extension to the Yanchep dog beach in 2014.”
The city has three dog beaches along its 32km coastline: a 1.1km section of Quinns Beach, an 800m stretch in Yanchep, and 500m at Two Rocks.
Community consultation undertaken as part of the city’s 2021 coastal management plan found strong support for additional dog beaches across the city, with 93 per cent of respondents in favour.
Alkimos was the preferred location, attracting support from 46 per cent of respondents, followed by Mindarie with 32 per cent.
There are more than 5500 registered dogs in Mindarie, Clarkson and Merriwa, which the city said indicated strong demand for additional dog exercise areas in the locality.
A range of factors are said to have been considered when selecting the three proposed locations, including existing infrastructure, anticipated residential growth, topography and access, safety risks, historic shoreline movement trends, and the occurrence of seaweed.
Camera IconThe City of Wanneroo is considering extending the existing Two Rocks dog beach by a further 1.6km south. Credit: City of Wanneroo
Should the council proceed with the proposal, additional infrastructure, including dog waste bins, bag dispensers and signs, is expected to be installed, although fresh water infrastructure would be limited at some locations.
“Currently, non-designated dog beaches do not provide dog waste bins or bag dispensers. However, these amenities could be installed or existing bins retrofitted if a beach becomes designated as a dog beach at a cost to the city,” city officers said.
“Opportunities to retrofit amenities such as water stations or wash-down bays are limited to locations where a sustainable water source is available to support them, and this has been included as part of the investigation.”
The city has also considered a new horse beach.
Camera IconCait O’Reardon and Charlie at Floreat Dog Beach. Credit: Michael Wilson/The West Australian
However, officers believe existing locations in Lancelin, Whitfords and Kwinana are sufficient to meet current demand.
They are therefore recommending that further investigations into a potential horse beach be deferred until the 2027-28 financial year.
If councillors approve the city’s recommendation, the three proposed dog beach locations will be released for public consultation for 42 days before councillors make a final decision.
Wanneroo councillors will consider the proposal at their next meeting on July 28.