Melton council is seeking amendments to its planning scheme following a Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal decision that gave Exford home owners approval to keep, and train, up to 50 greyhounds on its property.
In handing down his decision last month, VCAT member Michael Nelthorpe said there were no specific council policies “relating to the keeping, breeding and training of dogs”.
The council hopes to rezone the outer southern parts of the municipality to ‘green wedge A zone’, which would recognise and protect the amenity of existing rural areas.
Earlier this year, Exford couple John Barbara and Andrea Chapple took the council to VCAT, seeking a planning permit to train greyhounds at their property.
Melton planning services manager Bob Baggio said the council denied the applicants a permit, citing noise and amenity issues.
“The proposal is considered … incompatible with the rural residential surroundings and will result in an unreasonable impact on the amenity of the area,” he said.
“And the proposal does not fully comply with the Environment Protection Authority noise guidelines in relation to dog breeding/animal boarding, given that the use is within a 500-metre buffer of a number of surrounding dwellings.”
Mr Baggio said amending the planning scheme would enable the council and VCAT to consider amenity issues when deciding on a planning proposal. The council would work with Wyndham council to develop the green wedge management plan for this area, and it hoped to prepare the plan in the next financial year.
Six people objected to the planning application, complaining about the level and frequency of noise.
“I consider that this level of noise is acceptable in this area, given the policy and zoning framework does not anticipate premium-level residential amenity,” Mr Nelthorpe said.
“Notwithstanding this, I am satisfied the proposed attenuation measures will substantially lessen the volume of noise emanating from the site.”
Mr Barbara and Ms Chapple said they did not want to speak to the media.
