On 21 October 2025, Pittwater Unleashed founder Michele Robertson addressed Northern Beaches Council on behalf of our community.

In her speech, Michele highlighted the success of the Mona Vale Beach (South) off-leash trial, the importance of responsible shared use, and the growing community support for extending fair access to other beaches, including Palm Beach (North).

Read Michele’s full speech below.

Tonight, I’d like to address the Review of Environmental Factors for South Mona and North Palm Beach.

A REF is a formal assessment used to evaluate the potential environmental impacts of a proposed activity or project.

The environmental report for the two beaches was done by Niche Environmental. This Company is not some backyard outfit – they’re a respected, reputable consultancy with decades of experience in ecological assessment. The REF is scientific, thorough, professional and crystal clear: this trial is unlikely to cause harm to the environment.  It builds on similar studies by Cardno in 2019 and the 2008 NGH study for Station Beach. These three independent studies constitute an impressive body of work.

The REF doesn’t ignore risks – it lays them out, and it shows how they can be managed. This trial is cautious, time-limited and designed to test coexistence. It’s evidence-based and deserving of your full confidence

We have seen a small number of individuals trying to undermine the facts by painting a picture of ecological disaster that just doesn’t match the evidence.  There are around 20 fake Facebook sites created to sow misinformation, cross-liking each other’s posts and having intense conversations with each other, trying hard to sell untruths.

This isn’t about protecting the beach – it’s about blocking and sabotaging the trials. And it’s not fair:

It’s not fair to Niche Environmental, whose work is being misrepresented.

It’s not fair to Council staff, who have followed proper process.

And it’s definitely not fair to the dog owner who’ve been asking, respectfully, for a chance to share this space since “Dogs Prohibited” signs were installed around 2002 without consultation and without due process.

Julie Alexander reminded us that the dog beach trial is not reckless – it’s carefully planned, fenced, timed and monitored. Dismissing it before it has barely begun is like failing a student before the exam. This trial is about balance, not division – and after 12 years of community advocacy, it’s here, thanks to Council staff, supportive Councillors and the community.

When Careel Bay was closed to dogs swimming, Marita Macrae is recorded in a tabled 20 page transcript confirming that she, and I quote “did not see any environmental problem with the use of North Palm Beach, north of the car park, for off-leash dog exercise.” unquote.

I encourage you to come and experience Mona Vale Beach for yourselves – especially those of you who voted against it. Spend half an hour there and witness the joy, the connection, the energy, firsthand. You’ll see families laughing, dogs playing, strangers becoming neighbours. It’s not just a beach trial. It’s a living example of what inclusive public space can look like. Speak to people and let the community tell you what this means to them.

We’re asking for a fair go – a chance to show that responsible dog access and environmental care can go hand in hand. Let’s honour the process, the evidence and most importantly, the people.

Good people value honesty, inclusion, fairness and balanced solutions.

Thank you.