Socially Responsible - for heaven's sake! Again, it is a minority that is letting us down by not picking up after their dog/s. But yes, agree that a sign saying it is an offence and you will be fined for not picking up, would be perhaps advantageous, but again, it is like a sign in a communal kitchen, "pick up and clean up after your meal" - there are always those who just do not care!!!

Lease stop changing the gates that afe padlocked!! You never know from one day to the other which ones are open!! Probanly puts people off going to the poo bag dispenser or depositing used bags in the bin. To m the simplle solution is have self closing gates or am i too simplistic??

One simple sign that caters for all users of the park, making it clear that during organised events, the oval is off limits. A reminder that it is an offence not to pick up your dogs poo.

I fully endorse Mr.Jensens reply. This is common sense stuff. However, for people who lack common sense, it needs to be enforced. In addition, suggestions to encourage social responsibility : 1. Utilize the registration process to communicate to dog owners on their responsibility, including what the fine is for littering. I also suggest that people who are fined, have to pay a higher registration, and a progressive system of fining that increases if you are booked. 2. Ensure that the sports groups are also made aware of their social responsibility - eg. cleaning up after themselves, releasing the park to ensure all users have access, sticking to the approved DISPLAYED schedules, being considerate of other park users. 3. Utilize sub contracted park rangers to book any kind of littering behavior, and use the revenue from these to improve park services. 4 .Park rangers to also fine clubs for not releasing the grounds when they are scheduled to, and these to contribute to bettering park amenities. 5. Increase poo dispensers, and ensure they are regularly refilled.

What can council and park users do to encourage social responsibility in using Citizens park? a) Signage; put up signs (lets not get carried away… a few signs at the entrances is enough), to let park users of responsible behavior in the park. This includes dog owners to pick up their dogs poo, Sporting clubs to clean the grounds after use as there have been water bottles, socks, dirty band-aids, and bandages (this is unsanitary) left on the ground after training and games. Other park users that the park is an alcohol free zone, not leaving children unattended etc. I’m my opinion the council should put up signs stating what responsibilities of all park users not just minority groups. b) Putting gates back around the ground. c) Clear signage when the sporting club has training and matches. d) Have a ranger policing the park. e) More poo bag dispensers. I agree with Lindy as responsible social behavior is not limited to Citizens park. I too have seen syringes, dog poo, rubbish all around Richmond too. Mr Jensen made a very good point that the council has showed colossal incompetence – this consultation should have occurred many years ago before issues arose. All counselors should be impartial and remember that they are governing the council on behalf of each and every person that lives in the area.

Mr Jensen is a genius. Put him on the council payroll he will save them a fortune. I wholeheartedly agree with his suggestions. 5 dot points with clear and concise meaning. How simple is that? And to top it off they offer an answer for each topics on this consultation process. Finally, if you nominate for the next council election you will get my vote Mr Jensen.

"Signage was raised as a simple solution during the CPUG meeting 1 discussions, but this led to a question of what it is to be socially responsible". Sigh...come on people, did the above lively debate then lead to a robust discussion about what a 'meeting' was?? May I suggest a discussion about more relevant concepts like 'impartial governance', 'presumptive directions' and 'genuine community consultation'? Bottom line: If the Council had proactively encouraged social responsibility WAY before this ludicrous series of events, it would have: 1. Put at least one more dog bag dispenser in the surrounds of the Park. 2. Put up a sign or two reminding dog owners of the requirement to pick up after their dogs. 3. More occasionally had a Ranger at the Park to enhance compliance in a number of areas. 4. Put up signs that informed Park users of ACTUAL Club activity times and the restrictions on park use during those times. (Not just some ill defined signage about 'organised' sporting activities - this ambiguity will only create more conflict). 5. Informed the Clubs that they can't expand their exclusive use hours / days any time they feel like it and underlined to them the rights of other Park users. It's not THAT complex is it? If the Council had performed these simple tasks proactively, the HUGE amount of time and money already expended on this ludicrous series of events (e.g. gate removal, partial gate reinstatement, web site construction and management, over use of poorly worded signage, loosely constructed, analysed and reported surveys, consultants, barbecues, staff running meetings, Councillor hours, 'compliance' staff at the Park to serve the Club's interests etc etc) could ALL have been saved. Put the gates back on, (belatedly) take the above steps, and move onto more important matters in your jurisdiction please, this process is an embarrassment. Whoever supervises governance at the Council has some explaining to do.

Enforcing responsible social behaviors across the shire of yarra as this issue is not only at citizens park. People leave rubbish, needles, dog poo etc etc. start asking people walking their dogs on the street if they have poo bags with them. Send out flyers to all owners. I just received my dog registration in the mail this was a great opportunity for the council to put in an education flyer for dog owners reminding them of their responsibilities but there was nothing added to the registration renewal! A missed opportunity that's for sure. And yes users at CP have signage fatigue! Just one simple sign in an obvious place would be great.