It’s a classic David and Goliath story about the little bloke taking on the giant and winning. In this case, Mr McHugh moved to Bathurst from Sydney with his family looking for a tree change.

He purchased land at Dunkeld and set about bringing to fruition his vision to establish a new small business there, a pet boarding kennel.

When Mr McHugh put in a development application (DA) with Bathurst Regional Council for the project, part of the approvals process involved his plans going on public exhibition for feedback.

That proved to be the start of a roller-coaster ride for Mr McHugh. Howls of disapproval from neighbouring residents quickly came rolling in and the controversy was only just beginning.

While council’s senior planning staff said the DA ticked all the boxes in regard to town planning laws, but councillors’ knocked it back based on the concerns raised during that community consultation.

However, Mr McHugh proved he would not simply lay down and go away because he believed he was in the right.

Determined to press on, Mr McHugh modified his DA to even further reduce the potential impact on neighbouring landholders, and submitted the revised version to council

Former chief town planner David Shaw recommended the DA should be approved or council could face litigation in the Land and Environment Court which he warned council would lose.

The DA was again knocked back by council.

Mr McHugh then took it to court and where he  won.

Today’s front page of the Western Advocate shows that work is now pressing full steam ahead on Mr McHugh’s kennel development and this is testimony to the tenacity and belief in the development.

It’s called progress and with progress, change is inevitable.