Should half of Linklater Reserve be made on-leash for dogs?
Published on 02 July 2025
We’re proposing to make around half of Linklater Reserve an on-leash area for dogs and we’d like to know what you think.
Earlier this year we asked how the community likes to use Linklater Reserve, and if you’d support making parts of the reserve an on-leash area. At the moment, all of the reserve is an off-leash dog exercise area, apart from the children’s play spaces where dogs aren’t allowed at all.
The proposal follows a request and petition from the Kelvin Grove Community Association signed by 64 people, to make part of the reserve on-leash. The association presented the petition to Elected Members during a Council meeting last month and said the reason for the request was that sometimes dogs that aren’t properly controlled can make it hard for other people to enjoy the reserve.
They also shared comments they had received from people who’d had bad or scary experiences at the reserve with unleashed dogs, and requested for half of the park to be made on-leash only.
General Manager of Strategic Planning David Murphy says it’s important that all people in the community can fairly and safely use our public spaces.
“We know responsible dog ownership means keeping our dogs well exercised and well socialised and we heard from many of those who have dogs about how much they love being able to do this at Linklater Reserve.
“But we’ve also heard from some of those who aren’t confident to use the park at the moment because they don’t feel safe around dogs that are off lead. Linklater Reserve is one of the most popular parks in the city and we want to make sure that it meets the needs of as many people as possible.”
Earlier this year we asked for community feedback on how to make the reserve a space for everyone. Most people told us that they liked the current off-leash controls at the reserve and didn’t want these to change. Some weren’t sure and wanted to know how much of a change we’d be looking at, while others wanted some of the reserve to made on-leash.
Elected Members considered this feedback, and the presentation from the Kelvin Grove Community Association, before deciding to seek further community feedback on their preferred option on making the area from the Kelvin Grove Road carpark to the aeroplane — about half the reserve — an on-leash zone. This area would include the children’s play equipment, public toilets, bike track, and BBQ area.
The map shows the extent of the proposed change, which would make the area outlined in yellow on-leash only. The blue area would remain off-leash.
Mr Murphy says like with all consultations, following feedback Elected Members may choose to stick with the status quo, proceed with the proposal, or make changes based on community feedback and other technical advice.
“That means we need to hear from everyone in our community who has thoughts on what we’re proposing. That includes not just those who currently use the park but also those who may consider using the use the park more if there were areas where dogs had to be on-leash.”
To make it easy for everyone to follow the rules, we would install a fence with gates between the two areas.
What do you think? Is the on-leash area we’ve proposed a good compromise? Let us know by making a submission on the consultation page. You can also speak to Elected Members about your submission at our hearings on 20 August 2025.
Have your say today