Resident Satch Niemiec raised concerns for the future of the site at Scenic Drive in Clunes. He noticed soil continued to be dumped after signs reading “Clunes dog park” were erected. 

Hepburn Shire Council general manager infrastructure Bruce Lucas said fill material had been placed at the site for levelling and maintenance. 

“There has recently been some additional fill material deposited at the site to aid in levelling the area for its intended use and for maintenance mowing,” he said. 

The dedicated dog park area is not fenced and Mr Lucas said there were no future plans for fencing. 

“There is currently no proposal for fencing to be installed,” he said.

“The remaining works to finalise the project are to level the site and seed it with grass, which will occur as soon as the area has dried out sufficiently to enable the works to proceed.

“The small pilot project was intended to be a low-cost treatment to provide a cleared area to exercise dogs off their leash.

“As with any dog exercise area, only dogs who respond on command and return when called should be taken off their lead.”

Mr Niemiec said it was unusual to have a dog park without a fence, but hoped owners used the park responsibly.

“Hopefully the dog park users will be responsible and manage their dogs for the safety of animals and people - those using the area and those walking past,” he said. 

Meanwhile, funding for community infrastructure has been allocated in the 2017/18 Hepburn Shire Council budget. 

More than $1630 was allocated for the service of parks and open spaces.

Listed initiatives include $210,000 for walking and cycling projects, expansion of footpaths and multi-use trails. 

A new netball facility at Trentham and a bouldering wall at the Creswick community park are other projects detailed in the budget.