Harden Murrumburrah last of the Three Major Towns to Have a Legal Off Leash Park
At the 26th February 2025 Council Meeting, the Council resolved that $40,000 be internally restricted for the purpose of an off-leash dog park commencing in Harden, a project finally seeing approval at Council’s meeting last week.
At the 24 September 2025 Ordinary Council Meeting, the Council received a report recommending the construction of a dog park at 67 Albury Street, Harden, and resolved to defer the item to a future meeting. They have now received a report to present to Councillors an updated design for a dog park constructed on the open space between Harden Caravan Park and Harden Memorial Town Pool, located at 67 Albury Street.
The proposed location is a large open space that is already fenced on two sides. The space (from Albury Street to the back of the pool fence) is approximately 3000sqm, which is much larger than the 400sqm recommended minimum size for a dog park. There are established trees within the park area that would provide natural shade.
Council listed the following likely features:
Two (2) air lock gates and one (1) access gate;
114 metres of cyclone fencing for all perimeter fencing;
27 metres of 1.8m cyclone internal fencing ;
Two (2) maintenance gates for maintenance (mowers) access;
Two (2) seats;
Two (2) dog bag dispensers and bins; and
Two (2) water fountains.
Apparently this will add up to $40k.
Hilltops Director of Planning, Jaime Dyhrberg, said during the Council meeting it was, “quite a process to identify the site and the work with it….So the thinking around this site, it’s balancing on one hand that this site is ideal locationally. It’s between the pool and the caravan park, which are two key users for a dog park, with the visitors coming, they have to use the park and children being close by.
“It’s acknowledged that there are site limitations, and that’s why there is a provision for some very modest drainage work to address some of the concerns. What it will mean is that we won’t be closing the park per se, but people need to make their own judgments of whether they want to use the park. What it will mean is that we won’t at times of the year be able to get the mowers in because it gets a bit too boggy, but it is going to be fit for purpose, particularly at the peak times.
“That’s just the balanced areas. Every site has strengths and weaknesses, and on balance, we are recommending that this site is the best that we can find in the Harden area to meet the needs.”
The project is estimated to cost a total of $39,143.93.
Council noted that, given the current funding allocated for the Harden Off-Leash Dog Park, there is insufficient budget to deliver a full stormwater solution that would ensure the park remains usable during extended wet conditions. However, by utilising the proposed contingency, it is possible to install a partial subsurface drainage, such as AG pipe or a similar system. While this would not provide a complete drainage solution, it would improve site conditions sufficiently to allow the park to be maintained and remain open during periods of light or minimal rainfall.
The Young CBD is undergoing a stormwater revitalisation project with costs associated at approximately $10,000,000 and paid for by residents of Young. This scenario highlights that far from being one Council area where funds are allocated as needed, Hilltops is still living in a world where depending on where you live and what you contribute translates to what you get.
Little has changed.
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