Greyhound trainers of almost 20 years have been denied a permit to operate on their Eden Park property.
Whittlesea council refused to issue Deborah and Ronald Barron a retrospective permit to continue breeding and training up to 10 greyhounds on their 8100 square metre property this week.
Eight neighbours objected to the Barron’s permit application because of fears the dogs would reduce the value of their property and issues with noise, smells and dust.
The nearest objector lives 300 metres to the south of the property, which the Barron’s acquired seven years ago.
In their report, the council’s senior planner Steve O’Brien said the proposed use of the property, particularly the impact of the barking greyhounds on adjoining residents, was “unacceptable.”
Mr Barron said he did not want to comment other than to thank Greyhound Racing Victoria for helping prepare their permit application.
In their application, the Barrons said the dogs would be fed twice a day at 6am and 7pm, barking muzzles would be used to minimise noise and waste disposed of within the existing council collection bins.
Mr O’Brien wrote that disposing of waste in council bins was contrary to the Code of Practice for the Greyhound Industry, which requires solid waste to be collected by a licensed waste disposal service, and liquid waste via a septic system.
Neighbour Pricia Hayward said she was pleased the council has refused the permit.
“There is a problem with the smell and the noise,” she said. “As a resident we don’t want a kennel [here].”
