By Juliano Oliveira
Southern Downs Regional Councillors have approved a controversial dog breeding facility submission at 42 Careys Road, Emu Vale. Six members voted in favour. Only Councillor Cynthia McDonald and Councillor Marco Gliori opposed the project.
On 13 October 2021, the development application was brought to the table with a recommendation of approval for the kennel. Councillors, however, decided to defer the matter to 29 October’s meeting to consider revised conditions.
Southern Downs Regional Council has approved the project with an amendment including building materials to ensure adequate noise mitigation measures are incorporated, additional planting of landscaped buffers, and the requirements for a noise report and stormwater management plan.
“We all know that breeding facilities are legal. However, this is the wrong location. We need to be careful where we put these sort of facilities because more will come in the future,” Cr Marco Gliori said.
In her turn, Cr Cynthia McDonald reinforced that the distance between kennels and the community must be respected as protection for residents.
Cr Andrew Gale pondered that the kennel is positioned in a farm area away from the community, which wouldn’t be a problem to residents. “This area is isolated. If it doesn’t fit, I don’t know what could be considered a good area.”
Last to speak out, Cr Ross Bartley supported dog breeding facilities in the region and drew a parallel with the farming business.
“Farm work is dirty. We create animals for consumption. Where is the future in rural? This dog facility is so small compared to farming. We need to give opportunity for people complying with the rules,” Cr Bartley said.
The decision infuriated a small group of residents present in the meeting. They have petitioned against creating the kennel, claiming it would generate problems with noise and risks of contaminated run-off onto residential properties.
Amelia Willmer, one of the leading voices contrary to the facility, presented a passionate speech to the councillors before the final vote.
Ms Willmer said she would take the matter to court.
“Just because something is technically legal doesn’t make it morally right – like Greg Chappell and cricket’s infamous 1981 underarm bowling scandal. Any true blue Aussie would see that we have been done over.
“The other seven councillors totally ignored the peoples’ petition and let themselves be led around by the nose by deskbound bureaucrats presiding over an outdated town plan.
“We four affected property owners do not accept this unfair and unreasonable decision by this council, and we are already organising our appeal to the Planning and Environment Court.
“This council has now put itself in the position of spending ratepayers’ money, from those who vote for them, to send expensive lawyers down to a Queensland court to fight their people.”
