Tension was high at the July 22 Ordinary Council Meeting as Manton Road residents opposed the Development Application for the extension of the existing animal boarding establishment.
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The proposal was placed on public exhibition for 21 days and included notice to adjoining and nearby landowners. Six submissions were received with the key issues relating to the number of kennels and dogs, noise, waste management and water quality, land degradation, traffic setbacks, fencing and property devaluation.
The Development Application included the extension of the existing eight kennels to an additional 71. The other submissions included constructing a cover over the existing horse arena and the installation of an aerated wastewater treatment system.
Among the six submissions made to council on the public exhibition, three residents spoke to oppose the proposal at the open forum.
Neighbour Bec McRae spoke about the issues that would affect the local area.
“There are 8 dogs there already and now they want to increase it to 80, the area below is the Yass River and there is already concern over the water quality and pollution,” she said.
“There will also be additional cars on the road which creates problems, as well as noise and odour issues.”
One of the proponents of the kennel John Davis defended the application stating that the extension would inject thousands of dollars into the local economy.
“We would be using local sources and businesses to undertake the extension, as well as employing extra staff,” he said.
“It is an opportunity for the youth and a great way for them to get casual employment.”
Mr Davis said that they have already identified an animal and noise management plan, as well as implementing waste management.
A wastewater treatment system is to be installed, and solid waste from dogs will still be collected by hand daily but will then be disposed of in a suitable receptacle for transportation off-site on a needs basis.
The manual method of collection for solid waste is preferred by the applicant as it is less labour intensive and will use less water. Liquid waste will then be intercepted and piped into the system.
Mr Davis describes the waste management plan as a significant reduction of waste polluting the Yass River and would provide a better environmental outcome.
“We are also planning on providing council with about $9000 for the road,” Mr Davis continued.
The Development Application is almost identical to an application which was approved by the resolution of Council in July 2005 and modified in November 2010. In 2014 it was determined the consent had lapsed as physical commencement had not occurred.
Councillors asked for the proponents to undertake the development in stages and to have the adequate systems in place before any of the kennels were leased.
Councillor Needham proposed that stage one would be implemented to include the following conditions; “That the installation of the AWTS (Aerated Wastewater Treatment Systems) be implemented initially, the management of solid waste be considered, particularly dog faeces,” he said.
“Noise, particularly dog barking, be managed, as well as the repair of boundary fences so animals can be managed. We need a water quality testing regime as the baseline to start.
“To have those practices in place, the applicant should show that they are able to manage the extra kennels."
The Development Application was considered with these recommendations.
