Oppose a Puppy factory on the Central Coast
UPDATE: WE WON
The Development Application Modification for the Kris Lewis FindAfrenchie, commercial dog breeding facility, has been REFUSED, and it’s unanimous!
We’ve made it easy for you to have your say on behalf of the exploited dogs, puppies, and the Central Coast local community. For greater impact, we strongly recommend your submission is tailored to personalise your views, objection points, and any personal experiences, in your own words. You can use our submission template to lodge a direct emailed objection, or as a guide for your own personal objection.
Submissions closed at 5 PM, Friday 11 March 2022.
A controversial Development Application (DA) Modification for a commercial dog breeding and intensive housing facility on the NSW Central Coast, is currently on public exhibition. This is the third time this DA has been exhibited for public consultation and planning assessment since 2019.
On 9 December 2020, the local Central Cost Council Planning Panel approved what was a non-compliant facility for a 15-month trial period under the applicable DA Consent Conditions.
If this DA Modification is approved, it would amend the 9 December 2020 provisional approval of DA No DA/97/2020 and Consent Condition No 1.2, relating to ‘Ongoing Use of the Premises’. This retrospective approval would in turn would allow the Applicant, with a history of ongoing non-compliance, to permanently continue the intensive breeding and housing of dogs on the property, in spite of the many risks and impacts to animals, the environment, immediate neighbours and the community, none of which have been adequately identified, assessed, or addressed.
Submissions can be handwritten or typed. You can hand-deliver, post, email, or upload directly to council’s website by following council’s instructions, and using the council DA Submission Form. Anyone can lodge a submission – you do not need to reside in the Central Coast region to have a say.
Details for DA No 97/2020/A, can be accessed on the Central Coast Council website and ePortal site here: https://eservices.centralcoast.nsw.gov.au/ePathway/Production/Web/GeneralEnquiry/EnquiryLists.aspx and then click on ‘All Applications’ and enter the address (604 Ourimbah Creek Road, Palm Grove, NSW 2258).
How Can You Help?
Have your say
If, like us, you believe companion animals should not be exploited for profit through commercial breeding and intensive housing, please send a submission to oppose this Central Coast, NSW commercial dog breeding and intensive housing facility.
This French Bulldog breeding facility has been operating in the Central Coast region since 2019 when it was established by the Applicant, Mr Kris Lewis, without consent. Since 2019, this facility has included serious non-compliance issues leading to repeated community complaints, a council issued a notice in October 2019 requiring the unlawful use of the site to cease, and a subsequent council order for non-compliance in November 2019.
Animal Liberation understands that prior to establishing the Central Coast facility, the Applicant was allegedly running a similar non-approved dog breeding facility in another NSW local government council area.
The Proposal
The Development Application
A February 2020 Development Application (DA) lodged by the Applicant for an ‘‘animal boarding, training and breeding facility’ was ultimately approved by the Central Coast Planning Panel in December 2020, which granted a 15-month trial period, due to expire on 9 March 2022. This planning panel approval was in complete contrast to a report compiled by council staff which recommended refusal, and also ignored around 45 formal objections from local community members.
The Applicant has now lodged a DA Modification, seeking modification to council’s December 2020 consent via deletion of Consent Condition No. 1.2, and substitution of drawings which detail the interior floor plan of the Evening House, together with retention of site improvements providing all-weather access to vehicular maneuvering and hard stand and fencing as installed.
For over two years, frustrated members of the community have been forced to contend with this highly controversial and non-compliant facility, a lack of adequate council and animal welfare oversight and compliance, and an ongoing assessment process involving three DA’s which have failed to undertaken an objective, comprehensive or inclusive consultation process. The issues also directly relate to critically important animal welfare considerations and the adverse impacts on the general amenity rights and entitlements of neighbours.
French bulldogs are amongst a number of brachycephalic or flat faced bred dogs who suffer from Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), a breed-related disorder that means affected animals cannot breathe normally and this condition significantly compromises their welfare.
Dogs are loving and loyal companions, not commodities to be exploited for commercial and personal gain.
Join Animal Liberation to speak up loudly on behalf of these Central Coast dogs and puppies, by lodging an objection.