Pound site options explored
Community members are being encouraged to have their say on future development and expansion options of Baw Baw Shire’s municipal pound site at Longwarry North.
Council has developed a masterplan for the two-hectare site in Princes Way, which it purchased four years ago for $1.2 million.
Council is now considering options that could co-exist with its municipal pound operation.
Demolition of the run-down house on the site and opportunities to establish a shire depot are among options presented in the draft masterplan.
Community members are being encouraged to have their say on future development and expansion options of Baw Baw Shire’s municipal pound site at Longwarry North.
Council has developed a masterplan for the two-hectare site in Princes Way, which it purchased four years ago for $1.2 million.
Council is now considering options that could co-exist with its municipal pound operation.
Demolition of the run-down house on the site and opportunities to establish a shire depot are among options presented in the draft masterplan.
The masterplan comes after council has already invested $350,000 in refurbishing existing buildings on the site to transform them from the former Utopia Pet Lodge to municipal pound.
The area of the property which houses the animal pound is only a portion of the overall site.
Council believes there are opportunities for future uses on the remainder of the site.
These include potential expansion of the pound to cater for future growth, a dedicated pet adoption service, dedicated stock areas, council depot operations and/or other community related uses.
Mayor Danny Goss said unfortunately when this site was first purchased, no long-term masterplan was put in place.
“By now developing a masterplan, we want to create a long-term strategic roadmap to improve operations and maximise value of the site.
"Having a clear plan will ensure the site is utilised to its full potential well into the future.
“All options are on the table, so we encourage everyone to review the proposed masterplan and have their say,” he said.
Some of the actions and recommendations outlined in the draft masterplan include:
Improvements to the pet adoption room including access pathways and ramps; Improvements to car parking area; Relocation and development of new dog exercise area;
Expansion of cat isolation bays;
Demolition and removal of the existing dwelling for future storage and shedding;
Installation of new and improved agricultural fencing and access gates;
Expansion of pen areas to cater for future increased capacity;
Installation of acoustic cladding for reduced noise emissions;
New security fencing along gravel road; Additional site and new storage/shedding for future municipal depot operations;
Removal of old septic tank and rehabilitation of the area; and,
Relocation and improvement of existing water tanks.
All these recommendations will require council funds to implement.
The house is valued at $96,000 and officers estimate renovations to bring it up to a habitable standard would cost $90,000. Council has allocated $50,000 in this year’s budget for demolition works.
The draft masterplan suggested it was not feasible to refurbish the house and it was therefore recommended to remove the house so the site can be used for other purposes.
Consultation and feedback via council’s Have Your Say section on its website closes on May 15.
Officers will then compile comments and submissions in a report to council.