Cowra Shire Council has deferred a development application for dog breeding kennels on a property near Lyndhurst.
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A last-ditch effort by neighbours to curtail the kennels, which could house up to 50 dogs, was heard in Council chambers last week.
Applicant Jackie Davis breeds miniature fox terriers for sale online.
Ms Davis also keeps purebred dingos, which are a part of a captive breeding program.
The pensioner was previously based at Hobbys Yards, where she defied Blayney Shire Council orders to scale back her commercial breeding facility or move for three years.
In 2010, her development application was quashed by Blayney Council on the grounds she was zoned in a residential area.
Now living in the Cowra Shire, zoning requirements permit the use of the land as a dog breeding facility with consent.
Neighbours of the Mid Western Highway property are concerned the development will negatively impact Limestone Creek, which flows on the third lot referred to in the application.
A second house and horse stables would be constructed on that lot, in addition to an existing house, whelping shed, main dog housing shed and fencing.
An inspection of the site has confirmed some parts are likely to flood.
Neighbours also contended breeding dogs to sell was inconsistent with local amenity and land use.
According to the conditions outlined by Council, Ms Davis would have to prove effluent can be appropriately managed on-site without negatively impacting the land or the creek by submitting a sediment control plan and details of a composting system.
In addition, no buildings or yards can be constructed within 40 metres of the high water mark of the creek.
A condition was also included in the recommendation requiring Ms Davis to submit a survey plan demonstrating the floor level of the proposed second house will be built half a metre above the height of a one-in-100-year flood.
Ms Davis must also construct at least three soundproof kennels on the property to prevent barking carrying to neighbouring properties several hundred metres away.
Appropriate fencing must be built and food sources contained so as not to attract vermin.
Dog faeces must be picked up and composted daily, and no waste can enter Limestone Creek.
Council has now asked the applicant to submit a number of more detailed plans regarding the associated conditions.
Sounds travels
“The noise will be a major issue. At night, sound travels a long way as the surrounding hills reflect and echo noise for a long distance.”
“I am also concerned about the use of raw meat and bones to feed the dogs. Rats and mice can be a major pest for our hazelnut orchard and also bring food safety issues. We manage vermin through good hygiene and baiting but this will be rendered close to useless if there is a ready source of food for rats and mice at the neighbouring property.
– Judy Southan, submission writer.
Not herbivore waste
“The applicant contends that the dog and dingo waste would be no different form that produced by sheep and cattle. This contention is clearly wrong, and the difference is very significant.
“Sheep and cattle are herbivores, but dogs are carnivores, as a result, the waste produced by dogs is much more pungent and offensive, and it contains various organisms and diseases which present differing levels of risk to the immediate environment and to stock.
– Peter and Sandra Russell, submission writers
Limestone Creek?
“As the property is very close to Limestone Creek, what is going to happen to all the effluent that these dogs produce?
Will it end up in Limestone Creek, and destroy our pristine waterway.?
“Are the dogs going to be under supervision at all times, or are they going to run wild and cause damage ti livestock.
“Have the owners of the dog breeding enterprise taken any precautions to prevent this happening.”
– Bruce Rowlands, submission writer.
