RUSSELL Island resident Rudi Schmidt has urged Redland City Council to commit to funding and delivering an expansion and safety upgrade for the island’s dog park, saying the popular facility is no longer fit for purpose.
Speaking during public submissions at Council’s September 16 meeting, Mr Schmidt said the park was an established community asset but had not kept pace with Russell Island’s growth.
“I’ve been a resident of Russell Island for more than 20 years,” he said.
“Council has acknowledged in its 10-year capital plan that improvements to the park will be made, and I’d like it treated as a priority.”
Mr Schmidt said he was not seeking a luxury facility, but a properly maintained and safe space for residents and their pets.
“This is not a request for a luxury facility,” he said.
“It is a request to bring an established and heavily used community asset up to a safe standard.”
As administrator of the Southern Moreton Bay Islands Dog Lovers Facebook group, which has more than 400 members, Mr Schmidt said he regularly heard concerns about the dog park’s condition from users across the islands.
He said the park delivered broader social benefits by giving residents a place to meet, exercise and connect.
“The dog park serves the broader community, not only dog owners,” he said.
“It provides a place where residents can meet, socialise and build connections across different ages and backgrounds.”
Mr Schmidt said the island’s growing population strengthened the case for action.
“Russell Island had approximately 2500 residents in 2013, and by 2026 the population is estimated to have more than doubled,” he said.
“A facility serving a much smaller community cannot meet today’s demand without investment in its size, capacity and design.”
A key safety concern was the park entrance, which Mr Schmidt said lacked a double-gated entry system.
“Double-gate entry systems are standard in dog parks because they allow people to enter and leave safely through a secure space between two gates,” he said.
“The current dog park has no such system, meaning dogs can escape directly onto Jackson Rd or the children’s playground next door, creating risks of injury, loss and dangerous situations.”
Mr Schmidt also said the fenced space was too small for the number of dogs using it.
