The Geelong Council’s planning committee has rejected an application by local dog breeder Helen Whiteside to breed up to five dogs at her residential property on Kanyanya Avenue in Clifton Springs.
Whiteside, who has operated a small dog breeding business in the township for 15 years, had requested permission to establish her breeding operation at 36 Kanyanya Avenue, located within a General Residential Zone 1. This application followed the refusal of her permit renewal for a breeding site at 142 Bay Shore Road, where her domestic animal business permit is set to expire on April 9.
At a tense planning meeting held last week, residents voiced concerns about the potential for noise, the conditions in which the dogs would be kept, and the environmental and health risks associated with dog waste. Several supporters of Whiteside, however, defended her professionalism and the positive impact of her business on the community.
Council members emphasized that their decision was based strictly on planning considerations. “This is not about the character of the applicant or concerns over the welfare of the dogs. It is purely about the suitability of the proposed use in a residential area,” said Cr. Emma Sinclair. She noted that the noise from the dogs, if not properly managed, could pose a significant issue.
Cr. Andrew Katos, the chair of the planning committee, expressed concerns about the potential for further neighborhood conflict. “The acoustic report and domestic animal management plan provided do not reassure us that the noise from the dogs could be adequately controlled or that it would not negatively impact the area’s amenity,” he explained.
The rejection of the permit highlights ongoing tensions between residential zoning and local businesses, particularly those operating in close proximity to residential areas.
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