The Central Western Daily received a complaint earlier in the week alleging people were illegally bringing their dogs to the lake - dogs are not allowed within the reserve environment.

The Lakehouse owner Ben Crawley confirmed the sightings, saying he had spotted dog walkers in the past.

However, he believed council should allow dog walkers, even if they were limited to certain areas.

“They’re not a problem at all, they’ve got their dogs on leads,” he said.

“The demographic of people doing it are responsible dog owners - they’re not people with big dogs who run amok.” 

Mr Crawley said allowing dogs would enable increased public use of the lake.

“It would improve the number of people coming out here,” he said.

“It might encourage people to come on their own as well - if they can bring a dog, they’re more likely to do it.”

Environment and economic development committee chair Neil Jones said the area was popular for picnics and it would be ideal if a solution could be found to share the area with pets. 

“But the reality is that because there are always small children around, the actions of one irresponsible dog owner could lead to a tragic result,” he said.

“It’s also an area where there are large numbers of water birds, and that adds to making the lake an attractive area. But a dog running uncontrolled off a leash with birds nearby is asking for trouble.”

Cr Jones said signage clearly indicated dogs should not be taken to the site and encouraged people who witnessed them to co-operate with council rangers.

danielle.cetinski@fairfaxmedia.com.au