Neighbours living near the dog park say they were not consulted in any way, and only found out about the project when they contacted council after surveyors turned up on site.

The neighbours aren't against the dog park, but want council to consider moving it closer to the existing car park at the basketball stadium, away from residential houses.

They are angry council did not consult them, and said construction should cease until all options are considered.

On Thursday afternoon council issued a statement saying "a staff member door knocked and consulted with residents in the area."

However, when pressed, council issued a second statement saying "informal contact was made with residents during a site visit to Hector Park by council staff."

They did not elaborate what "informal contact" was.

Resident Paul Phinn was unimpressed when he was told council was claiming they door knocked residents.

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"At no time were we contacted, it was me who contacted the council after seeing surveyors in the park weeks ago."

Mayor of Bathurst Bobby Bourke, who is in Sydney for a mayoral conference, said he would go and look at the area when he returned to Bathurst Friday night.

Cr Bourke said he didn't recall a lot of discussion on the park, and said "more consultation could have occurred."

Councillor Monica Morse said she was surprised by the reaction, saying the area has been a designated off leash park for years, and the only difference would be a fence would be erected around the site. She conceded there was a "quick turn around time" for the project.

"We had to have the work complete for the economic stimulus package," she said.

She said eventually trees will be planted to create a buffer between the area and houses, though that can't be done at the moment, due to water restrictions.