News/Update
12/7/2026
New access arrangements commence tomorrow.
Key Changes are:
On-leash access via Victor Ave stairs.
Dogs to remain on-leash from the base of Victor Ave stairs to BA3 (Matron Porter Access Track.)
Winter (May- September): Dogs may be off-leash between BA3 and BA8 (Access Track opposite Parkinson Street.) 24 hours.
Summer: (October - April): Dogs may be off-leash between BA3 and BA8 from 4pm to 8am.
As the new changes come into effect, it will be vital that we all abide by the new regulations.
As a dog loving community we should also let our fellow dog lovers and visitors know about the arrangements in order to protect our new access.
4/7/2026
Shoalhaven City Council have confirmed that the new Narrawallee Beach Access arrangements will come into effect from Monday the 13th of July 2026.
Key Changes are:
24-hour off-leash access to the middle section of Narrawallee Beach during the low season (1 May – 30 September) within the existing designated area.
On-leash access via the Victor Avenue stairs.
As the new changes come into effect, it will be vital that we all abide by the new regulations.
As a dog loving community we should also let our fellow dog lovers and visitors know about the arrangements in order to protect our new access.
30/6/2026
Good morning Pawsers and it is a good morning.
Last night, despite vigorous debate, Shoalhaven City Council voted in line with the REF’s recommendations to reopen the Victor Avenue Stairs to dogs and for 24 hour off-leash access from 1 May to 30 September.
These changes will take effect in the next few weeks so please continue to abide by the current rules and we will continue to update you as developments occur.
It’s vital that the dog walking community follows all the rules to avoid any further challenges and conflicts.
We would like to thank Mayor White, Councillors Steele, Kemp, Wilkins, Casmiri, Dunn and Proudfoot for their support on this matter.
I would also like to personally thank the Committee (Tim, Susan, Ian, Ray, Stephen, Alan and Lynne) for their ongoing commitment on this issue, particularly Tim Trescowthick who has personally invested a huge amount of time on this issue. A job extremely well done.
I would also like to thank everyone who completed the REF’s survey and who provided submissions on the draft REF, as the strong support for these changes assisted Council come to this decision.
29/6/2026
If you haven’t seen our social media updates over past few days, Shoalhaven City councillors will be voting on Narrawallee Beach Access for Dogs and Dog Owners at Ordinary Meeting tonight 29 June.
If you are able to attend we encourage you to be at the meeting.
Allowing councillors see representatives from our community is really important.
The meeting commences at 5:30 pm tonight 29 June at The Studio, Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre, Bridge Road, Nowra, 2541 View Map
If you need transport and would like to car pool please contact
Or you can watch the meeting via the link here Council Meeting or check our news page at Paws4Shoalhaven
Any other questions please reach out.
We all look forward to a positive meeting and outcome from councillors on this issue.
Andrew Sutton
President Paws4Shoalhaven
21/5/2026
The Draft Review of Environmental Factors (REF) has been released with three recommendations (listed below). On behalf of the Committee, I would like to express my sincere thanks for the contribution you made during the survey phase of the review. The results speak for themselves with 81% of 1,046 responses supporting off-leash access; 82% supporting the re-opening of the Victor Avenue Stairs to dogs on-leash; and 77% supporting on leash access via the Surfers Avenue stairs transiting across to the Victor Avenue stairs.
We now need your help!
Shoalhaven City Council (SCC) have now requested individuals make submissions with respect to these 3 recommendations. Submissions can be made via: Submission
To assist with your submissions the Paws4Shoalhaven Committee suggest the following:
Recommendation 1: 24-hour off-leash dog access during the low season
The draft REF recommends extending off-leash dog access to 24 hours per day during the low season (1 May to 30 September each year) within the existing designated dog access area of Narrawallee Beach (between BA3 to BA8).
Our position is to support this recommendation and for you to comment on how this will make a positive impact on your life/lives.
We also ask, if appropriate and space permits, that you state you would also prefer to see an additional hour in the mornings (from 8am to 9am) from 1 October to 30 April (as this was not included in the considerations of the REF despite our repeated representations)
Furthermore, the off-leash changeover in access times between the low season and high season is determined by the change from Australian Eastern Daylight Savings Time (AEDT) to Eastern Standard Time (AEST). If you agree this should be maintained we urge you to request an amendment so that consistency be kept (i.e. instead of 1 May to 30 September which has never been the case at Narrawallee).
Recommendation 2: Dog access from Victor Avenue stairs
The draft REF recommends allowing on-leash dog access via the Victor Avenue stairs (BA2) north to the Matron Porter Drive main beach access point (BA3).
Our position is to support this recommendation with an amendment that “dogs be permitted off-leash from the bottom of Victor Street stairs to the northern approved boundary.
If you agree to support this amendment please note this as well as indicating how access from Victor Ave stairs will make a positive impact on your life/lives.
We also ask that if space permits that you include that you would also prefer to see the northern boundary of the off-leash area to extend to BA-10 (opposite Barclay Street) (as this was also not included in the considerations of the REF despite our repeated representations). This extension still ensures that the buffer between nesting and foraging shorebird species breeding endangered birds and dog off-leash access still far exceeds the minimum required by the relevant environment Act.
Recommendation 3: Dog access from Surfers Avenue stairs
The draft REF recommends not permitting dog on-leash access from the Surfers Avenue stairs (BA1) and keeping the area between Surfers Avenue stairs and Victor Avenue stairs as dog-prohibited to protect sensitive foraging shorebird habitat in the southern section of the beach.
Our position is to NOT support this recommendation on the grounds that (as succinctly provided by one of our members)…” the prohibition is disproportionate to the ecological risk presented, is inconsistent with the REF's own findings regarding habitat quality and habitat availability in the broader landscape, and fails to adequately balance the legitimate recreational needs of the community against what the document itself characterises as a localised and mitigable impact.”
The results of the public consultation highlight that 19% (199 respondents) “have mobility or accessibility needs that may influence how they use the beach” and highlights that the results show that accessibility considerations are relevant for a notable proportion of beach users and companions.
We ask that you also highlight how this recommendation would adversely affect your life/lives.
3/3/2026
Narrawallee Beach Dog Access REF Update
There is a lot happening presently so we thought it was worthwhile to give everyone an update on the work we as the Committee are doing.
Becscomm the company appointed to run the Community Consultation component of the REF have commenced their part of the review last week. The President Andrew Sutton, Vice-President Tim Trescowthick, Secretary Susan Creighton and Roger Steele met online with them and a representative of Biosis who are evaluating the environmental aspects of the REF, to discuss the review and to represent our members. Over an hour many aspects of the review were covered and Paws were able to provide its views on a number of facets, including but not limited to the reopening of Victor Ave and Surfers Ave stairs, the increase in winter hours, the increase in the off-leash area from the bottom of the Victor Avenue Stairs to BA10 (adjacent to Barclay Street) safety aspects in play, the environment and importantly just how the current restrictions have impinged on our community and individual’s quality of life.
The next step will include a public meeting with Becscomm the details of which are still to be provided and once received will be passed on to our members and followers ASAP thereafter.
Later this month or possibly in April we expect the draft REF will be made available and it is at this point submissions to SCC (Shoalhaven City Council) can be made. Again further advice will be provided to all as it becomes available as this will be a critical component to our overall organisational submission.
In the meantime, well done to all that organised and attended the Rally last Friday evening. For those wondering we deliberately did not publicise the event more widely but relied only on word of mouth, but to get 40 people and 30 dogs there was a testament to just how angry and frustrated we are with the current restrictions. Thank you to Stephen Dolan and Tim Trescowthick for speaking at the rally and to Mayor White and Councillor Kemp for attending, continuing to show their support for us.
We have also prepared and sent a Media Release to various local media outlets, so hopefully you will see some positive results ensuing in the coming weeks.
Finally and this one is for ALL of you, don’t forget to ensure that you, your family and friends complete the SCC survey before Sunday.
Dog Access - Narrawallee Beach Survey
27/2/2026
Becscomm the company appointed to run the Community Consultation component of the REF have commenced their part of the review this week.
The President, Vice-President, Secretary met with them online to discuss the review and to represent its members. Over the hour many aspects of the review were covered and Paws were able to provide its view on a number of facets, including but not limited to the reopening of Victor Ave and Surfers Ave stairs, the increase in winter hours, safety aspects in play, the environment and importantly just how the current restrictions have impinged on our community and individual’s quality of life.
Becscomm will also be meeting with another 5 groups/stakeholders over coming weeks.
The next steps will include a public meeting with details still to be provided by Becscomm and which will be passed on to our members and followers when available.
During March the draft REF will be made available and it is at this point submissions to SCC (Shoalhaven City Council) can be made.
Again further advice will be provided to all as it becomes available as this will be a critical component to our overall organisational submission.
11/2/2026
Shoalhaven City Council has resolved to undertake a new Review of Environmental Factors (REF) and a fresh round of community engagement following a Council decision in August 2025.
The new REF will assess potential adjustments to the current dog access arrangements at Narrawallee Beach, including:
24-hour off-leash access in the central section of the beach during the low season (1 May–1 October each year)
Additional on-leash dog access via the Victor Avenue and Surfers Avenue stairs.
These options were not assessed in the 2024 REF. Under NSW legislation, any new or altered proposal must be supported by an updated environmental assessment.
The first step in the consultation an online questionnaire is now available at the following link. Please complete prior to the 8th March.
Community questionnaire - dog access arrangements at Narrawallee Beach | Get Involved Shoalhaven
Further updates on next steps will be posted on the website and communicated though email, stay tuned!
9th Jan 2026
Dog access t o Narrawallee Beach is again being reviewed by Shoalhaven City Council in early 2026, with a new Review of Environmental Factors and further Community Engagement being conducted
We need dog owners support to help retain off-leash access to Narrawallee Beach, re-establish on-leash access from Surfers Ave and Victor Ave and an extension of off-leash hours.
You can help by:
JOINING/RENEWING YOUR MEMBERSHIP
DONATING
VOLUNTEERING
Via Paws4Shoalhaven
10 Dec 2025
Shoalhaven City Council provides detailed plan on the new Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for off leash access to Narrawallee Beach.
More Details: New environmental factors engagement for dog off leash at Narrawallee
29 Sep 2025
Shoalhaven Council Resolution to complete a New Review of Environmental Factors (REF) for Narrawallee Beach access.
More Details can be found: Narrawallee Beach Dog Access
2024
Whilst 2024 was a very difficult year for dog owners in Milton Ulladulla area, we have been extremely busy and as can be seen from the following list, we have not shied away from agitating our cause despite the obstinance of the previous Council:
Two Meetings with Council Management at Nowra.
Beach walks with Councillors. (5)
REF Review and research.
Preparation of Submission 40+ Pages
Two deputations at Council Ordinary Meetings
Rally on the Beach
Multiple Meetings with Clr Patricia White.
Facebook Communication
Established a Paws Instagram account.
Dog Counts on Daily, Weekly and Monthly basis.
Million Paws Walk Burrill lake
Stall at the local Community Expo
Posters and flyers distributed throughout the year
Meet and greet with visitors providing education re changes at Narrawallee Beach during summer and Easter holidays.
Meeting with Liza Butler (State Member Parliament)
Grown membership to over 1,200+ Members
Accompanied Maxine to letterbox drop in her neighbourhood around Victor Ave
Media presence - ABC Illawarra, 2ST, SMH, Milton Ulladulla Times, Today Show
Public Petition signed by over 15729 people
Meeting with the Tribe Independent Candidates at Narrawallee Beach
Dog Party at Bar Yuki raising over $400 for Paws4 Shoalhaven
Participating in the Bird Count
Surveying each of the Local Council candidates as to their views re dogs and access throughout the LGA and disseminating information via Social Media
Unfortunately despite the enormous efforts of the Paws community the Shoalhaven City Council during August voted to make the temporary access arrangements permanent.
With Council Elections held in September we now have a very different Council and this may present a great opportunity for better more equitable arrangements. Further updates will be provided in due course on this page, Facebook & Instagram.