A Katherine Town Council survey found 39 per cent of respondents wanted a dog park in Katherine East, just 18 per cent chose Katherine North as the preferred location.

But a group of dog owners have been fighting for the park to be located at the Katherine Showgrounds.

Leading the crusade, long -term Katherine resident and dog owner Lori Martin says the council's preferred location - Lockheed Park - is too small and dangerous.

"No one at the dog park (at the showgrounds) have spoken about having a dog park at Katherine East," Ms Martin said.

"We need a central location, especially with the amount of grey nomads travelling with their dogs."

Ms Martin says Lockheed Park is "fraught with danger".

"There is no safe off-road parking for people to unload their dogs," she said, "and we want somewhere with size."

With up to 50 other pet owners, Lori Martin has been taking her dogs to the showgrounds every Saturday for the past two years.

There are three off-leash areas for dog owners to exercise their furry friends in Katherine, Lockheed Park, Casuarina Park, and the showgrounds - all of them not quite up to par, according to Ms Martin.

In the 2018/19 council budget, $18,000 was allocated to an off-leash dog park.

Earlier this year a KTC spokeswoman said an additional off-leash dog area is part of the showgrounds master plan - but it is likely to be years away.

Last week's monthly Ordinary Meeting of Council had alderman hesitant to elect an official area to spend the $18,000.

"My concern from the report is that people don't want a park at Lockheed," Alderman Peter Gazey said.

"We need more investment at looking at possibilities... we need to resurvey.

"Lockheed ticks all the boxes, but we need to go back to the people who took the survey and see if that is what they want."

Four locations have been assessed by the council, taking into account parking, shade, capacity to fence, water supply, power and location.

While Lockheed Park ticked all boxes, the Civic Centre came in at a close second - also satisfying Ms Martin.

"Officers have assessed the suitability of all parks for existing infrastructure and compatibility with the local living environment," a council report states.

"This assessment has resulted in Lockheed Park in Katherine North being the only area that meets all the assessment criteria however, this option only applies to 21 respondents, and the Civic Centre Grounds being a close second choice."

The decision has been tabled for further community consultation.

Suggestions can be made either in person at the Katherine Town Council or via email at contactus@ktc.nt.gov.au.

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