Warrnambool restrictions remain the same as previous years, while Moyne Shire is trialling allowing dogs to remain on certain Port Fairy beaches until closer to Christmas.

Moyne Shire mayor Mick Wolfe said the trial extension came about after a call from the public. 

Under the Port Fairy trial, dogs will not be permitted on South Beach between Powling Street and the South Beach access steps and on East Beach between Connolly Street and Battery Lane from 9am and 6pm from December 24 until Easter Monday inclusive.

Mayor Mick Wolfe said it would be reviewed and the public could give feedback to about whether the changes should be made permanent. Signage will be installed to make the changes clear.

“We have had a number of submissions recently regarding dogs on beaches,” Cr Wolfe said. “We have had to balance the benefits of exercising with dogs on our beaches, with the need to protect wildlife and avoid negative effects on other beach users. As always, we ask people to be responsible with their dogs on the beach.” 

Dogs are prohibited on Killarney Beach between the boat ramp and 200 metres west of the main car park. At Peterborough Beach, dogs are not allowed between the bridge and the monument at the southern end of Irvine Street from 9am to 6pm daily between December 1 and Easter Monday inclusive.

In Warrnambool, dogs are banned on the main beach between the Flume and the Breakwater from December 1 until March 30 and must be on leash at the Blue Hole Reserve from December 1 until March 30. 

A Warrnambool City Council spokesman said it would not trial any changes to the current dogs on beaches arrangements this year but council would consider it in the future if they received public submissions. 

Penalties for not adhering to the restrictions apply. Go to the council websites for more information.