Joondalup Council Considers New Off-Leash Dog Beach at Burns Beach

Currently, the only official off-leash dog beach in the city is located in Hillarys, which locals have reported is frequently overcrowded during peak hours. Leading the petition, Burns Beach resident Deida Nicholls emphasized the need for additional space. “It’s just not enough for the whole City of Joondalup to only have one dog beach,” she said, highlighting the area's growth over the years.

The number of registered dogs in Joondalup has risen from 24,689 in 2020 to 25,625 in 2026, indicating approximately one registered dog for every two to three households. Ms. Nicholls noted that overcrowding at the current dog beach creates several issues, particularly during summer months, which can lead to problematic interactions between dogs.

Hillarys Dog Beach, known as Whitfords Dog Beach, stretches about 1 km from the Whitfords Nodes carpark to Hillarys Horse Beach. It was last expanded in 2010 as part of the city’s beach management plan. Despite previous petitions seeking to enhance dog beach facilities, including the addition of off-leash areas, no actions have been taken by the city until now.

The new petition coincides with the development of a new dog management plan, which is scheduled to be presented to the council in November. City of Joondalup Chief Executive Craig Lloyd stated this plan will provide a 10-year framework addressing responsible dog ownership, exercise opportunities, and public space management. He confirmed that Burns Beach is among potential new dog beach locations currently under consideration.

Lloyd explained that factors such as environmental conditions, accessibility, and community expectations will be evaluated. He noted that if a dog beach is established at North Burns Beach, it would require supporting infrastructure like access paths, signage, and drinking fountains.

Nicholls believes the northern section of Burns Beach could successfully accommodate an off-leash zone with minimal disruption. She suggested exploring the option of conducting a trial, such as allowing dogs on the beach during specific hours.

Joondalup's consideration of new dog beach locations comes as the neighboring City of Wanneroo is seeking public input on proposed dog beach sites, including a 1.9 km stretch south of Mindarie Marina. While Lloyd stated that there have been no formal discussions with Wanneroo regarding these proposals, he acknowledged the potential for future collaboration.

The council is expected to review the petition for a new dog beach at Burns Beach during its meeting on September 22.