UP TO 150 dogs are to be kept at a boarding kennel at rural Tynong despite neighbours’ concerns that the barking may drive native animals away.
Cardinia Shire Council approved a permit to expand an existing business, allowing an extra 70 dogs to be kept on a property off the Princes Highway.
Councillor Bill Pearson conceded the request had prompted opposition but said the dogs would be “treated better than some people”.
Councillors voted unanimously in favour of Annette Taylor’s application at their 4 September town planning meeting.
The owners of the 7.2hectare property had a permit to operate a boarding kennel for up to 80 dogs but said increased demand for the service had prompted plans to expand.
Six objections were lodged opposing the expansion bid. Objectors said the move would degrade the quality of life in the local community and the ambience of the area.
They were also concerned the significant increase in dogs on the property would result in a decline in the number of birds and other native wildlife and could increase noise and dust levels.
Councillors, led by Bill Pearson and Doug Hamilton, said they were happy to support the proposal.
Cr Bill Pearson said he could find nothing in the objections to prompt him to vote against Ms Taylor’s application. “It’s a rural pursuit in a rural area. The kennels are really well laid out,” he said.
Councillors also received a letter in support of the expansion along with the objections.
Cr Brett Owen said he believed the noise of traffic passing along the Princes Highway would be louder than the barking of the dogs.
Cr Owen said VicRoads and the Environmental Protection Authority had both said they had no objections to the expansion, which will see new kennels built and other works carried out to accommodate the extra animals.
Council placed several conditions on the permit, including requirements for noise control, waste disposal and road and drainage improvements.
Cr Graeme Legge said he believed the conditions adequately responded to objectors’ concerns.
