BATHURST is one step closer to having a new animal pound after the development application (DA) was approved last week.
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It was revealed in the 2017-18 budget that Bathurst Regional Council was looking to build a new animal pound in the city.
During discussion of the draft budget in 2017, general manager David Sherley suggested that vacant land on Hampton Park Road would be the site for the new pound.
The location was confirmed the following year.
The DA was considered at the December ordinary meeting of council, coming to the meeting with a recommendation that the plans be approved.
The site at 58 Hampden Park Road will include an administration building, a dog shelter building which includes an impound area catering to up to 43 dogs, an adoption pavilion, a storage shed, two rainwater tanks, freestanding building/business identification signage, and staff parking and visitor parking that together will cater for 18 vehicles.
Not only will the site be used by pound staff, but it will also become the headquarters for council's Regulatory Services operations.
One of the concerns about the development is noise, but the conditions proposed with consent are aimed at mitigating the problem.
These include that the maximum number of dogs in the exercise pens is to be limited to seven at any time, except in exceptional circumstances, and that dogs can't use the exercise yards between 6pm and 7am.
Within 60 days of the operation commencing, an acoustic compliance test will be undertaken to ensure compliance with specific noise criteria.
Aboriginal heritage was also taken into account.
An Aboriginal Heritage Information Management System (AHIMS) search was undertaken for the site, which identified three Aboriginal sites recorded in vicinity of the development.
This was followed up by an extensive AHIMS search to determine the details of the three items.
As a condition of consent, all contractors on site will be made aware of the location and characteristics of the two Aboriginal sites and aware of the penalties for harming the sites.
If any Aboriginal objects are found during works, work will cease immediately.
Council's team leader - regulatory services, Mark Fenlon, recently told the Western Advocate that the new facility will have an even greater focus on rehoming animals.
"Our new facility, when it is built, will reflect that in name and in purpose, because it won't be called the pound anymore, it'll be called the Bathurst Animal Rehoming Centre, that's the whole idea," he said.
While no definitive timeline has been given for when the centre will be operational, it appears council will be prioritising the project.
"A lot of people in council would love to see it constructed and finalised by this time next year. That would be wonderful," Mr Fenlon said.
