6 City urges responsible pet ownership to prevent attacks • Mudgeeraba - 16 • Carrara - 16 • Pacific Pines - 16 • Upper Coomera – 16. In addition to attacks, there were 320 aggressive dog-related requests in 2025, including fence rushing and aggressive behaviour on and off leash. The City has launched a new campaign to highlight the consequences of irresponsible dog ownership, with most reported attacks occurring in public spaces when animals are not properly contained or under effective control. Dog attacks remain a serious community safety issue with more than 600 reported to Council in 2025, averaging 54 per month. Deputy Mayor Mark Hammel said responsible dog ownership was key to preventing these serious incidents. “Of the attacks reported to Council last year, a majority occurred outside the home or while the owner was present,” Deputy Mayor Hammel said. “Let’s keep the Gold Coast a safe and enjoyable place to live by ensuring dogs are on a leash in public, safely contained at home, and under voice control and supervision in designated off leash areas. “With many dog attacks still going unreported we urge anyone who experiences an incident to report it immediately for the safety of our community.” The new campaign is aimed at preventing dog attacks and reminding residents of tougher penalties brought on by changes to State law. The campaign ‘One bite can cost your dog’s life - Leash. Contain. Supervise.’ will feature across various channels including TV, YouTube, social media and outdoor advertising. “Owners can face hefty fines and potential jail time for serious attacks, with stricter requirements for regulated dogs involved in repeat incidents,” Deputy Mayor Hammel said. Suburbs with most reported attacks in 2025: • Southport - 33 • Labrador - 30 • Surfers Paradise - 28 • Nerang - 25 • Pimpama - 24 • Palm Beach - 21 • Helensvale - 20 • Coomera - 18 “As communities across Australia and New Zealand navigate increasingly busy, screen-heavy lives, a growing body of research points to a simple, accessible solution for better health — time in nature. This May, Botanic Gardens Week returns for its 11th year with the theme “Where Your Health Grows”, inviting locals to step into their nearest botanic garden and experience the proven benefits firsthand. “ www.bganz.org.au Our Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens is valued as a safe, welcoming space. A walk along its shady paths will leave you feeling refreshed, but don’t forget to pause and look at your surroundings. See the detail, look more closely at plants, listen and notice the insects and hear the birds. Stop off at the Friends Centre and pick up a map before you select your walk. Perhaps follow the main path to the She Oak Grove – pause and listen. Step off the main path and wander along the side trails, including the Story of our Country and Bush Foods Plant Collections, which represent flora important to our First Nation Peoples. Walk among rainforest trees planted in honour of Australian Defence Force lives lost in the Afghan Conflict. Wander down to the Nerang River via more regional trees, and loop back through the Gum Tree Corridor. Based on bark types or regional ecosystems, and like so many of the Plant Collections planted by Friends and the community. Later, discover the Callitris Grove planted by local school children, together with visiting Turkish Artists to mark the 100th Anniversary of Gallipoli. For a shorter walk from the Friends Centre, head along the northern edge of the Feature Lake through the Friendship Force and Curators Avenue to the Closed Forest Gorge Plant Collection and Fountain. Backtrack and cross the Ring Road to the QE II Jubilee Walk. Fast becoming a favourite for its silent forest track, with some trees dating from the early development of the Gold Coast. Emerging at the heritage Rosser Orchard, walk to the bush steps back to the lake, passing the grand old Blackbutt. Even the shortest of walks in nature will leave you feeling refreshed. Gold Coast Regional Botanic Gardens is one of over 50 gardens taking part in events celebrating Botanic Gardens Australia New Zealand (BGANZ) Botanic Gardens Week 18-24 May. Watch the City of Gold Coast ‘Naturally GC Calendar’ Pages and Friends of GCRBG Facebook for details, dates and times. Botanic Gardens Week by Kate Heffernan Honorary Life Member Friends of GCRBG, Botanic Garden Consultant
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