A controversial decision to prohibit dogs from a popular beach in one of Sydney's most affluent suburbs has ignited significant backlash from angry residents.
Council Announces Sweeping Changes
Woollahra Council published a statement on its website revealing 21 alterations to dog walking regulations across the area. The most contentious change involves Kutti Beach in Vaucluse, which will transition from permitting dogs on-leash to completely prohibiting them from late November 2025.
The council justified its decision, stating, "We recognise there has been a significant increase in dog ownership and the number of people walking dogs in our local area in the last few years." It emphasised that most of the 21 approved changes actually increase opportunities for dog walking, but cited community feedback and safety concerns for the Kutti Beach prohibition.
Resident and Celebrity Backlash
The move has been met with fury from locals within the council area, who point out this eliminates the last remaining off-leash beach where they could take their pets.
An anonymous resident told the Daily Mail, "Seems moronic considering [how] they lead the update," in a direct reference to the council's own acknowledgement of rising dog ownership. They added, "The Mayor and the council members should probably re-read that and open more space up. Must be a bunch of sad cat owners."
The resident also criticised the council's communication strategy, complaining about the lack of social media announcements and calling it a "sly update on their website."
Love Island star Cassidy McGill also expressed her shock publicly, questioning the ban on her Instagram Stories. "Wait Kutti Beach is literally one of two dog beaches in the east?" she wrote. "Does anyone know what this is about?"
Council's Consultation and Implementation Plan
According to its website, Woollahra Council conducted a community consultation on dog walking locations in mid-2023, which gathered 480 responses. The subsequent changes, approved on October 28 this year, were framed as providing "even more places to walk your dog on a lead and off-leash."
The council noted that many locations require new signage, fences, and bins before the new rules take effect, with full implementation scheduled for 2026.
Dog walkers are reminded that they must keep pets on a lead in public unless in a designated off-leash area, with fines of more than $330 for non-compliance. The council has listed all parks and reserves where dogs are allowed off-leash, on-leash, or are prohibited on its official website.
