The mayor of Greater Taree City Council delights in the joy of his stumpy tail red heeler as he watches her explore the environment and looks forward to the moment when he unclips the leash from her collar.

"It is wonderful to be able to give dogs the freedom of running off leash on the beach," Paul says.

"It's why I was so happy to support council's decision to change its policy for dogs on council managed land."

Paul and his wife, Pattie love Georgie and for years have walked the streets, parks and beaches of the Manning Valley for exercise. During that time they have adhered to council's rules about where and when you could exercise a dog off the leash.

The rules have now changed and Paul and Pattie couldn't be happier.

Beaches and council managed land in the Greater Taree local government area are now leash-free and time-limit free zones for dogs.

The new 'Dogs on Council Managed Land' policy provides for dogs to be off-leash on beaches, on the council reserve at Nicholson Street in Harrington and in Saxby Park in Stevenson Street, Taree.

Crowdy Beach, Harrington Beach, Manning Point, Old Bar Beach, Wallabi Point Beach, Black Head Beach front beach and Tuncurry Beach, also known as Seven Mile Beach are the focus of the policy, which also outlines prohibited areas such as National Parks or Crown Lands, regeneration areas and signposted walking trails in bushland reserves. (See panel on page 2 to reference prohibited areas.)

The policy is specific about the presence of off-leash dogs at patrolled swimming areas. Dog owners must have control of their dog off-leash 50 metres each side of the patrolled area. However, dogs on leashes will be permitted to move through the area for the purpose of accessing appropriate areas of the beach.

Paul says "the great majority of dog owners are responsible people and ensure they care for their dogs when off leash."

"They are in control of their pet by not being too far away and knowing how to manage their behaviour when around people. It's common sense.

"There are a lot of dog lovers in the Manning Valley and so when the opportunity came to be able to support a change to council's dog policy, of course I took it."

Council will also promote the Manning Valley as a dog-friendly community to tap the growing market of tourists who travel with their pets.

"It's good for tourism. People with pets look for areas to holiday and now our beaches and council lands provide opportunities for them to be able to really enjoy the area with their dog."

News of council's policy change delighted self-described "early campaigner for dogs on beaches", Val Schaefer.

Her fight for off-leash freedom for Manning Valley dogs began around a decade ago and she is delighted to learn of the policy change.

"That's fantastic news! To make the area dog-friendly is such a positive decision," Val said.

"More and more people are travelling with dogs and it is so important for tourism to be a dog-friendly community."

"I've always said that dog owners must use common sense when it comes to having their dog off-leash in public spaces. This policy is common sense."

Val says her two border collies may not get to feel the sand between their paws. Her 14-year-old Colby is now too old for the beach and she is not sure if eight-year-old Bonnie will get a run even with the new policy, but Val says she is delighted for the people in the Manning Valley who will now be able to allow their dogs to really enjoy their outdoor exercise off-leash at any time.

DOGS off leash are welcome in the Manning Valley at any time except in the following areas:

The Greater Taree City Council website provides a map of walking tracks in bushland reserves at Hallidays Point where dogs are permitted.