Bass Coast College students Michael, Dreyton and Jye give the thumbs down to dog owners not picking up after their pets. Students have launched a campaign to help keep the school grounds clean.
Students at Bass Coast College in San Remo are asking the local community to pick up their dog poo, due to a growing problem on the school grounds.
Principal Emma Harris said since opening in 2022 the campus has allowed residents open access to their outdoor facilities for various activities.
“This has been a display of community spirit to strengthen the bonds between the school and the community.
“The use of school grounds for recreational purposes, such as jogging, exercising, shooting hoops, scootering and dog walking is gaining in popularity as the population grows,” Emma said.
“While these activities have been largely well-received by the community, there have been instances of littering and pet waste being left behind.”
Emma said school members and local users are now teaming up to remind residents of the importance of respecting these shared spaces.
An ongoing campaign has been launched to highlight the significance of picking up after pets, particularly dog waste, to ensure a clean and safe environment for all users.
“Students have produced a flyer which will be dropped into local letterboxes urging users to work together to ensure the cleanliness and safety of shared facilities,” Emma explained.
“They’re asking residents to demonstrate their commitment to making their community a better place for all.
"We are delighted to see our community members enjoying our school grounds, particularly as there is little public open space provided in newer housing developments, but it's crucial that we all do our part to keep them clean and safe.
“Unfortunately, students are being confronted by large deposits of dog waste daily; this is their learning and play space.
“We believe that fostering respect for our shared spaces, including proper disposal of pet waste, is a valuable lesson for everyone. We don’t want to be forced into implementing bans on dogs."
San Remo resident and facility user Jacinta made a public plea on a community Facebook page for dog users to clean up after their pets with many agreeing with her stance.
“We are so lucky to have the luxury of a beautiful school oval to let our dogs run around, but I am sadly picking up multiple dog’s poo’s as well as my own dogs.
“Please let’s all do the right thing and keep this area clean so it can continue to be a valuable resource for our community.”
