Plans to turn Whakatane's Warren Park into a sanctuary for dogs are getting out of hand. Council had set aside $50,000 for the plans, but ongoing discussion between its staff and dog owners led to the realisation that much more is needed and this money needs to be found.

No extra money for the proposed dog park out of council's dog operations reserves, say Whakatane councillors. Photo: file.

Whakatāne District Council therefore decided not to provide additional funding from dog operations reserves for a proposed new dog park in Whakatāne.

Following a series of submissions by dog owners, a project budget of $50,000 had been earmarked for the proposed Warren Park development in the Council's 2015/16 Annual Plan.

However, refinement of the plan by a working party of dog enthusiasts and Council staff saw the ‘footprint' of the facility increased and a number of new features introduced, including corral gate entry structures, shade areas, seating, dog drinking bowls, enhanced landscaping and separate fenced areas for large and small dogs.

Council's Projects and Services Committee got a report on 7 April confirming a $56,000 budget increase for the project was required.

The report proposed that an additional $30,000 be allocated from dog operations reserves, with another $6,000 to come from parks and reserves renewals and local dog owners committing to raising the remaining $20,000 needed to cover the funding shortfall.

In a majority decision, the committee decided not to commit that extra funding from dog operations reserves and has asked Places and Open Spaces staff to report back on alternative funding possibilities.