Hepburn Shire Council received 13 objections to Stefano Caser’s application, with concerns about potential noise, danger to neighbouring sheep and other animals, problems with effluent and the effect on nearby property values.

The management plan covered feeding, cleaning, housing and monitoring of the animals. However, council planning manager Justin Fiddes said the application did not fit within the guidelines of the shire’s Rural Living Zone.

“It is considered it may have unacceptable impact on the residential amenity of the area,” Mr Fiddes said.

Mr Caser explained he would ameliorate potential problems by including surveillance cameras and using muzzles to prevent barking and noise issues.

He also offered to reduce the number of dogs if that would lead to his application being approved.

Under current Hepburn Shire Council bylaws, residents are allowed to have up to four dogs on their property without a permit.

“I will never have 20 dogs at the same time. My intention is to have 10 racing dogs, then every two years, breed a litter,” he said.

Objecting neighbour Ross Jones said a greyhound enclosure would destroy the environment currently enjoyed at Berry Mine Lane.

“The whole area is for housing horses and sheep,” he said.

“I don’t see that having 20 greyhounds is in keeping with the area.”

Other neighbours raised concerns about nearby residents losing amenity and the rural nature of their area.

“If a dog escaped, we don’t have an adequate boundary to step them from my horses, my kids, my dogs,” one resident said.

Councillor Bill McClenaghan said the proposal would almost certainly negatively affect the property values of nearby residences.

“I think it’s too much of a loss of amenity to consider. Would you buy a property next to a site with 20 greyhounds?”

Creswick ward councillor Don Henderson quizzed the applicant about whether he had surveyed the area to see how far sound travelled.