Bathurst Regional Council had rejected a proposal to build a cattery and kennel at Dunkeld

Speaking in public question time before Wednesday night’s Bathurst Regional Council meeting, neighbours raised concerns about the noise, traffic and environmental impacts of the facility proposed for Marys Lane.

But councillors seemed most unsettled by the lack of a turning lane or road shoulder for cars turning into Marys Lane from the Mitchel Highway.

Councillors were also worried that the applicant in this matter and the neighbouring residents had each provided an expert noise report that contradicted each other on a number of issues.

Council’s planning staff had recommended that Brendan McHugh’s plans to use an existing building as a cattery and construct a new 24-dog kennel be given the green light, with Mr McHugh to provide a detailed operating plan to council before being allowed to run the new business. 

But a concerted campaign by neighbouring residents over the past few months was enough to sway a majority of councillors in their favour on Wednesday night.

Councillor Bobby Bourke started the ball rolling when he moved an amended motion that the proposal be rejected, saying he did not feel comfortable that councillors had been given enough evidence to support the proposal.

He said residents in the area had chosen a quiet, rural lifestyle and feared the new facility would impact on the amenity of the area.

“I will quote British prime minister to the Scottish people this week – just remember that if you vote yes, then yes is yes, there’s no going back,” Cr Bourke said.

“There are outstanding issues that we have heard about tonight and there’s no way I can support this DA at this time.”

Cr Monica Morse called the issue a NIMBY (not in my backyard) concern, but said neighbours had every reason to be concerned.

“If this development ticks all the boxes then maybe we should change those boxes,” she said.

Councillors Ian North and Jess Jennings both raised the possibility of council seeking its own independent noise report for the development, though Cr North acknowledged even that would not please everyone.

“Even if we get third party advice, rest assured one side will be happy and one side will be unhappy with the result,” he said.

Cr Warren Aubin offered the most strident support for the applicant, saying he believed traffic concerns on the Mitchell Highway had been overstated.

The chairman of council’s traffic committee said he had inspected the area a number of times and believed there was good visibility for all traffic approaching the intersection.

“I honestly can’t see a problem with this whole thing,” he said.

“I’m quite in favour of this going ahead and I like to see new businesses in town.”

Cr Aubin said councillors had to respect the decisions of their expert staff who had pored over Mr McHugh’s application.

In the end, councillors voted five-three to knock back the application. Only mayor Gary Rush, Cr Aubin and Cr Graeme Hanger voted to support the DA, while Cr Michael Coote was absent.