A masterplan to improve and future-proof Council’s animal pound site in Longwarry North has been endorsed.
The masterplan will guide future works at the 2.023 hectare site located at 61 Longwarry North to improve community experience with current facilities, ensure compliance with best-practice standards, utilise spaces to house and streamline other Council operations leading to future operational cost reductions.
The area of the property which houses the animal pound is only a portion of the overall site presenting other opportunities for future uses on the site.
Key actions and improvements in the masterplan include:
- Demolition and removal of the existing dwelling for future storage and shedding (as a priority).
- Improvements to car parking area.
- Improvements to the pet adoption room including access pathways and ramps.
- Relocation and development of new dog exercise area.
- Expansion of cat isolation bays.
- 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.
- Relocation and improvement of existing water tanks.
- Improvements to site signage and security.
Actions and improvements in the masterplan will be referred for funding in Council’s Long Term Infrastructure Plan for staged delivery over the next five years.
The masterplan has been endorsed following a six-week community consultation period held in April-May 2020.
In response to high community interest received through the consultation process, Council will investigate ways for volunteers to have greater involvement in the future of the animal pound.
As stated by Mayor Cr Danny Goss
“This masterplan provides a strategic roadmap to guide improvements to existing operations, such as the animal pound, and maximise value of the site into the future. The size and diversity of the site offers future opportunity to streamline other Council operations, such as urban maintenance as an example, which would save operating costs in the long-term.”
