New rules regarding dog and cat controls came in to effect from 24 February 2022.

As part of these controls dogs are prohibited from children’s playgrounds and the playing surfaces of the ovals listed below:

• Camp Reserve Oval Castlemaine
• Castlemaine War Memorial Stadium
• Western Reserve Oval Castlemaine
• Elsie Palmer Field Oval Castlemaine
• Doug Powell Oval Castlemaine
• Wesley Hill Recreation Reserve Castlemaine
• Chewton Soldiers Memorial Park Oval
• Campbells Creek Recreation Reserve Oval
• John Powell Recreation Reserve Oval Guildford
• Harcourt Recreation Reserve and Leisure Centre Oval
• Cricket Ground and Recreation Reserve Oval Newstead
• Bill Woodfull Reserve Oval Maldon
• Public Recreation Reserve Station Oval Taradale

These came following complaints that pet owners were allowing their dogs to defecate on sporting areas, making it unsafe for players.

You can read more about the controls on our website.

Although used seasonally for cricket, Western Reserve does not have a defined playing surface.

It plays host to a range of family-friendly events throughout the year, such as the monthly markets.

For these reasons, it could be argued the reserve is more of a shared community space then just for sporting activities.

Input provided during this community consultation will inform the report scheduled for review by Councillors at the November 2023 Council meeting.

If Councillors vote to revoke the ban on dogs at Western Reserve, the change will become operational after it is published in the Victoria Government Gazette.