Help Prevent Dog Attacks in Golden Plains Shire
Help Shape Future of Transport Assets in Golden Plains
Golden Plains Shire Council is preparing a new Transport Asset Management Plan (TAMP) which will guide how local transport assets are managed, maintained and renewed across the Shire now and into the future. Council manages a wide range of transport assets across the municipality, including sealed and unsealed roads, footpaths, shared paths, bridges, culverts, roadside drainage infrastructure, parking areas and street lighting. As a large rural municipality, a safe, reliable and connected transport network is critical.
It supports how people travel to work, school and community activities, enables farming and freight operations, and provides access to townships and services across the region. Council is seeking feedback from residents, landowners, businesses, road users and visitors to help identify community priorities and expectations for the transport network. Feedback on the development of the TAMP is invited until 5pm, Monday 3 August 2026 and can be completed at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations.
The good news is that many dog attacks are preventable. Most reported incidents involve dogs that have escaped their property, often due to damaged or inadequate fencing. Being a responsible dog owner means ensuring your dog is secure, wellmanaged and unable to roam. To help keep your dog safe and prevent attacks, regularly check fences and gates for damage, ensure your property is secure, supervise and train your dog, and provide plenty of exercise and enrichment. Remember, any dog can wander or chase animals if given the opportunity.
Community Invited to Help Shape Road Safety Future Golden Plains Shire Council is inviting community feedback on the development of a new Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan 2027–2037 (the Strategy), which will guide efforts to reduce road trauma and improve safety across the municipality over the next decade. The Strategy will identify priorities and actions to improve safety for all road users and align with the Victorian Road Safety Strategy, with a focus on reducing fatal and serious injury crashes across Golden Plains Shire. On average, three people lose their lives and 70 people are seriously injured on roads across the Shire each year, with most crashes occurring on high-speed rural roads. While crash data provides valuable insights,
Golden Plains Shire is seeing an increase in dog attacks, with a number of recent incidents resulting in livestock being injured or killed. While these attacks can happen in minutes, the impact on animal owners can be significant and longlasting.
Council is seeking community feedback to better understand local road safety concerns, risks and opportunities for improvement. Community input will help shape future infrastructure upgrades, education and awareness initiatives, and investment priorities. The strategy will explore opportunities to improve safety on high-speed and residential roads, support safer walking, riding and motorcycling, and enhance key roads and intersections to meet the needs of a growing community. Feedback on the Strategy is invited until 5pm, Monday 10 August 2026 and can be completed at goldenplains.vic.gov.au/consultations.
2 Pope Street, Bannockburn, VIC 3331 19 Heales Street, Smythesdale, VIC 3351
Dog attacks can have serious consequences, including injury or death of livestock, distress for animal owners, fines and prosecution for dog owners, and dogs being declared dangerous or, in severe cases, destroyed. If you are involved in or witness a dog attack, seek medical or veterinary assistance if required, gather as much information as possible and contact Council at 5220 7111 as soon as possible.
Are you interested in COMMUNITY engagement opportunities? Sign up to Council's Community Engagement Register to receive Council's monthly Engage newsletter.
5220 7111 enquiries@gplains.vic.gov.au
@GPSCouncilNews
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