On 19 August 2025, Pittwater Unleashed supporter Julie Alexander addressed the Northern Beaches Council in support of the Mona Vale Beach (South) Plan of Management and the proposed off-leash dog trial.

In her speech, Julie spoke from both personal and community experience — highlighting the proven wellbeing benefits of time spent by the ocean with our dogs, and calling for evidence-based, balanced decision-making that reflects the community’s values.

Read Julie’s full speech below.

Good evening councillors,

Picture a calm morning. The sun rising over Mona Vale. The beach is quiet, just a few footprints in the sand. Billie, my yellow Labrador, trots beside me. For us, this isn’t just a walk – it’s therapy.
I’m Julie Alexander, a Bayview resident and Delta Therapy Dog volunteer. You heard from my husband earlier.

I know you’re wondering, why do so many people want access to this tiny 300-metre strip of sand for a few short hours – barely a four-minute walk end to end? And it’s good to wonder and ask why Michele has been pushing for this for 11 years without giving up.

It’s because the benefit is bigger than the beach.

Research shows that time by the ocean lowers anxiety and boosts mental health. Companion animals reduce stress and raise oxytocin and serotonin. Together, it’s a free, natural health program – for people and dogs alike. And every visit is also a training opportunity, shaping calmer, more responsible dogs in the community.

People paint pictures of chaos. But even in summer, this part of the beach is often empty. If there’s any risk at all, it falls on the people who choose to be there – which will overwhelmingly be dog owners. That’s why the voices that matter most are those who will actually use it. Otherwise it’s like asking me to vote on whether the men’s shed should buy a new sander. Why let keyboard warriors block responsible dog owners from enjoying this tiny patch of sand?

Of course, it’s right to gather opinions, but these days, it seems people want their own facts too. The Plan of Management before you addresses what’s left – the reasonable questions, because it was professionally developed with expert advice. And as Warren outlined, every question has been comprehensively addressed. Any objections now aren’t based on evidence. But every yes vote is.

And here’s the truth: we all want the same things. We all want to protect the environment and have safe, clean beaches. We all want happy communities. We all want decisions based on facts, not fear. Approving this Plan delivers all three.

Years of community effort, ratepayer money, and your time have gone into this. To stop now would waste that investment and erode trust in the council.

You can do your part tonight by rejecting any further amendment if it’s tabled because it’s simply not grounded in fact. When you approve the Plan of Management and the Off-leash Dog Trial on Mona Vale beach south as written, it won’t be a win for dog owners or a loss for others – it will be a win for the environment, for the whole community and for their wellbeing.

So picture again that calm morning: a handful of people walking with their dogs, connected to nature and each other. That is the future within your reach tonight – when you approve the plan and the trial.
As Warren said, you have a choice: to be remembered as the council who still said “never,” in spite of overwhelming professional advice and community support, or as the council who said “yes” to the environment and to connection, common sense, and to the community you serve.

Now is the time. Let’s make it happen – say yes.