ROCKET Street residents are angry an off-the-leash dog park is being built within metres of their homes and say they were unaware of its construction until they saw surveyors pegging out the area.
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The dog park is being built on Hector Park, near upper Rocket Street, by Bathurst Regional Council using money from the federal drought stimulus funding package.
Paul Phinn, who lives adjacent to the construction, said he knew nothing about it until surveyors were pegging out the area about two months ago.
Wondering what was happening, he said he went and had a chat and was amazed to hear a dog park was being built there.
He went searching through council's development applications, couldn't find anything and contacted council, who confirmed it.
He said he was concerned about the lack of consultation by council, as well as cars pulling up where there is no designated parking, noise and other problems.
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He said he is shocked by council's decision to locate the dog park so close to the road and houses, given the size of Hector Park.
"I'm pretty concerned about what it will mean for the value of my house, but what has really got me is there was absolutely no consultation.
"I'm originally from Sydney, and I love dogs; I used to go to the Westleigh Dog Park all the time. It's great, but not when it's outside your house."
He said it was only natural the dogs would be excited, jump around and bark, and he and other neighbours had concerns about the noise.
"It just seems this has been done in a hurry, because it had to be done before Christmas," he said.
It was a sentiment shared by a number of his neighbours who also have concerns about the dog park being so close to their homes.
Nicole Artery, who lives opposite the dog park also had no idea about it until they started building it.
She said she cannot believe council would locate it where it has, given the size of Hector Park.
Ms Artery said she thought it would make more sense to have it near the Basketball stadium car park, so people could pull up and park there.
She also said the area now pegged out for dogs has previously been used by children who live in the area to play cricket on.
Neighbour Lena McFarlane said she thought it would "be an eyesore."
"I had no idea it was being built, it has literally popped up overnight," she said.
Sonia Scott said the same thing, adding council "need to put it over near the car park, not near houses."
Director Engineering Services, Darren Sturgiss said a DA was not required for the construction of the park, but said a staff member had door knocked residents in the area.
