On this page you will find:
Planning and Permits
Before you build any kennels, you will need to check with your local council to find out whether you will require any permits. Permits can relate to the construction of buildings and sheds but can also relate to the ‘use’ of the land and the number of greyhounds you plan to keep.
What sort of permits are there?
There are different types of ‘permits’ that you may require to house or train greyhounds at your property. Permits are granted by your local council or shire, not by Greyhound Racing Victoria. Although the Planning Act provides some consistency across Victoria, every one of the 79 councils across the state can (and does) have their own set of rules that can override the Act.
Permits may relate to the number of animals housed on a property (excess animal permit, local laws permit), or may relate to what activities can be conducted on a property and what buildings can be constructed (planning permit). ‘Racing Dog Keeping’ and ‘Racing Dog Training’ are the two activities referred to in the Planning Act that apply to GRV participants.
Every property in Victoria is ‘zoned’. You can find out the zone of your property by visiting land.vic.gov.au, scrolling down to Property and Parcel Search and entering the property address. Zone and property details will be displayed on screen or alternatively you can download a PDF report.
The answer to this question will depend on your property zone, the proposed size of your greyhound operation, and your Council’s rules. Some zones do not allow for Racing Dog Training and Racing Dog Keeping at all. Other zones will allow different numbers of animals to be housed.
If you are planning on building kennel facilities, the size, type and location of the kennel buildings may mean that you need to apply for a planning permit. The permit application will need to address the size and construction of the proposed building but may also need to include information about how you plan to keep the impact of your activities on neighbouring properties to a minimum – such as visual screening, noise management and attenuation, and kennel routines and hours.
In terms of dog numbers – as a rough guide – if your property is in a residential zone, you will usually be allowed to keep 2 animals without a permit. If you are in a farming zone, you will usually be allowed to keep up to 5 animals without a permit. Many greyhound properties fall into the ‘Rural Living’ zone which allows 2 animals, but possibly more depending on your Council and the size of your property. If you search your Council website there will be information regarding dog numbers and permit requirements.
Remember: you are not required to register your greyhounds with your Council, but you must comply with the animal numbers allowed for your zone, and the permit requirements. ‘Animal numbers’ includes both greyhounds and domestic pets such as cats and other breed dogs in the total.
But I bought my property with a permit
Generally speaking permits are not ‘eternal’ and need to be renewed, particularly excess animal permits and local law permits. In many cases these permits are granted to the person or people who apply, not to the property, so they cannot be handed on to the next owner.
If you do not have a permit but can provide evidence that yourself (or others) have been operating a greyhound business on the property continuously for more than 15 years, then you may have what is called an ‘existing use right’ to use the land for racing dog keeping and/or racing dog training. You will still need to apply for a permit however the application will be considered in relation to the existing use, if proven to the Council’s satisfaction.
Each Council has information about permits on their website and there is usually a form to fill in and a fee for lodging the form. In some cases the permit application may be open for comment/complaint (for example, from your direct neighbours) and you may be required to display a sign on your property indicating that you are in the process of applying for a permit. You may also need to be inspected by Council Officers as part of the approval.