The guide has been designed to be used in a range of different circumstances:
For the recreation professional as a means of incorporating the needs of dogs owners into open space planning and management.
Of course it must be remembered that in many parts of Australia, there is no discernible problem associated with dogs' use of parks. In these cases it would be pointless imposing unnecessary restrictions on park users.
The guidelines provided are not prescriptive. We have not specified amounts of open space that should be available to dogs per household or within a certain distance of each residence, nor have we made definite statements about the types of open space that should be provided, whether on-leash or off-leash.
The reason for this is that there is no single right way. Every community is different - in its physical development, population characteristics, pet ownership profile, political climate and so on. The opportunities and constraints will vary widely, as will the balance of community opinion. The most important contribution that this guide can make is to set out a strategic framework to assist local authorities to assess their own requirements and choose the right combination of options in a balanced and informed manner. It provides the background and supporting information required and a framework for Councils to initiate a process in their own communities - the more detailed planning can then be done at the local level.