An application to house 20 adult huskies for breeding in Gisborne has been unanimously knocked back by Macedon Ranges council.
The proposal for 111 Tweddle Road, Gisborne South was refused on advice from council officers.
The council received 20 objections to the proposal.
The applicant currently has a number of huskies and dog-keeping facilities and was applying for a permit to keep 20 dogs for breeding and to build the necessary dog runs and kennels.
The council heard objections from 11 residents at its meeting last week.
One resident said he was concerned about the applicant’s ability to contain more dogs. He alleged a dog currently kept at the premises was responsible for killing his pet bird in front of his young children.
The father of three said he had known one of the dogs to enter his property four times, leaving his children scared to be outside.
Objectors also spoke about the potential for increased noise with more dogs on the site, including howling, the sound of a quad bike used to exercise the dogs, and loud music that was played while doing so.
They said the slope of the land worsened the noise, which conflicted with their desire for a quiet and peaceful life.
A report by council officers said the application was not consistent with various clauses in the planning scheme and failed to meet the criteria stipulated by the EPA Noise Control Guidelines, including a setback of kennels at least 500 metres from residential areas.
