DOG owners across the Sunshine Coast will face new restrictions on where their pets can go from July 3, with Sunshine Coast Council introducing significant changes to dog exercise areas, beaches, reserves and sporting facilities.
The new local laws, adopted under the Dog Exercise Area Regional Plan and Network Blueprint 2025–45, are designed to protect wildlife and sensitive environments, improve safety for people and pets, and cater for a growing dog population projected to exceed 80,000 by 2046.
Several popular dog exercise areas will be modified, including sections of Stumers Beach, Shelly Beach, Currimundi Lake and Kings Beach, to better manage shared use and respond to local conditions.
Dogs will also be banned from rocky foreshores including Point Arkwright, Point Cartwright, Moffat Headland and Caloundra Headland. Council said the move would help reduce stress on wildlife and protect fragile coastal habitats.
The changes also prohibit dogs from active sports playing surfaces, although pets will still be permitted on-leash in surrounding spectator and common areas.
Access will be restricted in selected conservation, nature and bushland reserves with high conservation values.
Further information will be available from July 3 at pets.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au.
