The petition was tabled with the council in August and councillors will vote on a response at next week’s ordinary meeting.

A report to council recommends prioritising consideration for the dog park in the 2019/20 budget, taking into account its installation, fit out and ongoing services.

The council’s drainage reserve off Depot Road would be considered as the location, which was identified as part of the Heathcote Township Plan process.

Related: Gates open to Bendigo’s newest dog park in California Gully

A “thorough analysis” of the site would need to be undertaken, including its interaction with the adjoining O’Keefe Rail Trail, maintaining the water quality of the dam and soil testing.

The location of the proposed dog park in Heathcote:

In the report to council, manager safe and healthy environments Caroline Grylls said the petition showed demand for the dog park was present, and other recently-opened dog parks in Bendigo had been popular.

“The community have demonstrated a sustained commitment to utilising the city’s off leash dog parks and the need for a park in Heathcote has been established,” she wrote.

Council parks and open space staff raised concerns about the ongoing maintenance of the Depot Road site, given the rough terrain with a large amount of rocks. “Significant works” would be required to create a surface suitable for mowing.

Related: Bendigo’s Harcourt Dog Park contains evidence of blue-green algae

During the Heathcote Township Plan process, 121 people responded to a survey with 55 per cent supportive of the dog park, 31 per cent unconcerned and 14 per cent opposed.

The Heathcote showgrounds had been used as an “informal” dog park in the past, but changes to access has since limited its use.

Heathcote community groups have already started fundraising for the project, and have received a $2500 grant from the Heathcote Community Bank. They also suggested establishing the dog park on their own, without council involvement, but concerns remained around the amount of work required to bring it to standard.

It would become the fourth off-leash dog park in Bendigo following the recent opening of the Allingham reserve and Truscott reserve dog parks in Kangaroo Flat and California Gully. The two dog parks cost the council $74,000 to establish this year.

Another off-leash dog park is at Crook Street in Strathdale.

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