Moyne Shire to decide whether public should be consulted in banning dogs, scooters from CBD

Moyne Shire councillors will vote at Tuesday's meeting whether it will seek public feedback about banning dogs, skateboards and scooters from the CBD over peak periods.

Councillors will vote on whether it will seek public comment on the proposal to amend local laws.

The amendment would incorporate dogs, with the exception of assistance dogs, be banned from Sackville Street - between Bank and Cox streets - and Bank Street - between Princes and James streets - from 9am and 6pm Christmas Eve to Easter Monday.

The move comes after councillor James Purcell introduced an urgent motion at the April meeting to start the process of reviewing the local law regarding dogs in the CBD.

Cr Purcell's motion followed a vicious dog fight in the CBD in early April. That same month he called for a review to local laws regarding whether to restrict dogs in the CBD, with a close look at Sackville Street between Bank and Cox streets and Bank Street between Princes and James streets. The motion was passed 5-2.

The amendment, to be debated on Tuesday, would also look to prohibit toy vehicles, such as skateboards and scooters being ridden on footpaths in the above-mentioned area and times during peak periods.

Council said it had received numerous complaints relating to bicycles and toy vehicles, including skateboards and scooters, being ridden on footpaths in the Port Fairy CBD.

It said as bikes were permitted to be ridden on the footpath in certain circumstances under the road rules there was "minimal capacity for council to further restrict the use of bikes on footpaths. However, council does have the authority to control the use of toy vehicles on the footpath," it said.

Council said the recommended amendments (dates and times) coincided with beach dog rules and would "create consistency in the application of the local law".

Both of the council-run caravan parks are dog friendly and "many visitors travel to Port Fairy as the town is, for the most part, a dog friendly destination", council said. The 9am start to restrictions would enable "patrons to support local cafes and restaurants before it gets too busy" and not deprive them of customers, council said.

Dogs would still be permitted at Railway Place under the amendment.

The meeting will be held on Tuesday at 2pm via Zoom due to current COVID-19 restrictions.