A dog owner fighting for a new dog park said she was "gutted" by continual project delays.
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Lori Martin, and her dogs, Ruby and PK, can be found at the Katherine Showgrounds most Saturday mornings socialising with up to 50 dog lovers and their pets.
They have been a firm fixture at the unofficial off-leash area for years, but have been fighting for a fenced forever-home.
Ms Martin said she and her supporters had been led to believe the off-leash park was high among the list of projects being considered by Katherine Town Council.
"I have been told by the council that a fenced dog park at the showgrounds is three or four years away," Ms Martin said.
"We are just gutted that it is so far away."
Council has confirmed a dog park will be part of a $2 million Showground revamp.
But could not rule out a three to four year wait.
"The master plan for the Showgrounds is for long term planning," a KTC spokeswoman said.
"We have looked at what users have identified as important, the dog park included.
"Master planning is crucial for these project as we upgrade facilities and such, we need to make sure it fits in with all other users of the grounds and future plans.
"We have completed the concept draft of the master plan and are only waiting on final consultation with the user groups. We will carry out works in a process and as funding is available/identified."
The group of dog owners claim they have lobbied their case to the Katherine Town Council, to no avail.
They say they feel "ignored" and "unimportant".
Already this year, the dog owners have had to cut their Saturday mornings short because of other events taking priority.
"We can't take the dogs anywhere else," Ms Martin said.
"The showground is semi-fenced and away from the road.
"We really don't understand why it is taking so long to build a dedicated dog park.
"It is what the dog owners want and have wanted for a long time."
When the Katherine Times first picked up this story, just over a month ago, KTC said not one but two dog parks are in the works.
Last year $2 million was dedicated to fixing up the Showground - but according to the council, funding the park is still an issue.
In a 'message from the Mayor', it was announced KTC would put $18,000 from general expenditure from the 2018/19 budget towards a park.
"The Showground off leash dog area is part of the Showgrounds master plan, so this is not only for our current community but planning for our future community," the spokeswoman said in April.
"We are working closely with Lori and those who use this area, however the funding for this project has not be sourced as of yet compared to the dog park that (KTC) has budgeted for.
"The dog park that won't be located at the showground is still in consultation, this is why we don't have a location as we need input from the community as it is for Katherine and more discussion is needed with the public.
"We have already budgeted for the project to get stage 1 complete."
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