DOGS would be be kept in their breeding enclosures for 13 hours a day and new vegetation would be planted to deter local koalas under a raft of conditions proposed for a planned dog breeding facility at Fosters Valley.
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Bathurst Regional Council staff have recommended the green light for the $841,000 facility proposed for 1557 Rockley Road, about 20 kilometres south of Bathurst.
Rockley Valley Park Pty Ltd lodged plans to build the facility to supply dogs to the Kellyville Pets store.
The proposal has drawn strong opposition from animal welfare groups who label it a “puppy farm” and a contingent from the Animal Justice League is expected at Wednesday night’s council meeting when the plans are finally put to the vote.
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Concerns have also been raised about the proposed breeding facility’s proximity to a local koala population as well as issues with noise and effluent run-off.
But a report to councillors by environmental, planning and building services director Neil Southorn says concerns raised by objectors can be “adequately mitigated”.
“The implementation of erosion and sediment control and appropriate effluent disposal will mitigate potential for impact on sensitive waterways nearby,” the report states.
“The noise assessment provides an acceptable level of noise generation and an appropriate complaints system can be implemented to ensure any complaints are being addressed.
“Separation from koalas and koala habitat has been proposed.”
Mr Southorn has recommended a raft of conditions for the development, including an order that dogs be kept within their inner yard enclosure between 6pm and 7am each day; that a complaints management plan be put in place; that vegetation along Rockley Road and Black Mountain Road to be native species other than koala feed species; and that noise testing be carried out within six months of the facility starting operation.
The development will include 15 kennels and associated dog run, a building containing 20 whelping [breeding] kennels and outdoor fenced space, eight mating kennels and two dog socialisation areas.
It will have a capacity of 60 dogs, comprising eight males and 52 females.
Kellyville Pets owner John Grima said the new facility would be Australia’s first “fully transparent luxury breeding facility manned by specialist staff”.
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