Speak out today to stop a new greyhound racetrack being built in Victoria.

Only weeks ago, another greyhound was killed at the Sale Greyhound Racetrack. Despite continued injuries and deaths, the greyhound racing industry wants to expand its operations to include another greyhound racing complex just kilometres from where ‘Paw Pierre’ drew his final breath.  

Paw Pierre had only been on this earth 22 months. In October 2024, this young dog was brought to the Sale racing track in Victoria, unaware that his eighth ever race would be his last.

Like so many before him, he fell during the race and broke his leg – which for any other dog would be traumatic, and painful. But for a racing greyhound, a broken leg is not just a career-ending injury, but a life-ending one. He became the 105th greyhound killed on Australian tracks this year alone – thirteen more have been killed since.

For caring hearts everywhere, the news of young, healthy dogs being injured and killed for the sake of gambling money is heartbreaking. But for the greyhound racing industry, their suffering and deaths are simply the ‘cost of doing business’. And so, while we grieve the loss of Paw Pierre and all those like him, the Sale Greyhound Racing Club is busily hatching plans to expand their operations — and have submitted an application to build a new greyhound racing complex just 20 kilometres from the Sale race track, where so many dogs like Paw Pierre have died.

According to the Planning Report, the Permit Application involves development of;

• Two greyhound racing tracks — one conventional (round) track, and one straight track.
• A patron building that includes a kitchen, toilet block and café.
• A viewing tower which reaches a soaring 11.22 metres in height.
• A kennel building to accommodate no fewer than 98 greyhounds.
• Car parking for visitors and trainers with dog trailers.
• A machinery shed.

The span of this operation is 89 hectares across two lots, on a site that is currently situated within the Farming Zone in Kilmany. What is currently peaceful green hills would likely be replaced with flood lights, barking dogs, increased traffic, waste and odour — with greyhound owners/trainers arriving from as early as 6am and leaving as late as 11pm.

This is an opportunity for anyone who cares about greyhounds to make their voices heard. Wellington Shire Council is likely to be assessing this application in the coming weeks — please act as soon as you can, but certainly no later than the 30th of November.

Wellington Shire Council is currently accepting objections to this proposed track construction. If you are based in the Gippsland region, your feedback as a member of this community is especially valuable. You can file a written objection with Council, to formally oppose this Planning Permit Application. We have made this process easy with a helpful guide below.

Option 1: Lodge your objection online.

• Wellington Shire Council offers an easy way to lodge your objection via their website.
• Head to this link and under ‘Planning Permit No:’ enter P342/2024 and ‘Address:’ enter 12 Templetons Road and Mclarens Road, Kilmany
• Complete with your details, and for the section ‘Objection Details’ please list the reasons why you oppose this Planning Permit Application, using the key points below.

Option 2: Lodge your objection directly with Council.

• If you wish to lodge your objection directly with Council, you can do this via e-mail.
• Write your objection using the key points below, and once you have completed it you can add it as an attachment and e-mail to: planning@wellington.vic.gov.au.
• For specific help on how to format your document, refer to the guide to formatting your objection letter below.

To ensure your objection carries the most weight, it’s important to focus on issues that are directly relevant to the Planning Permit Application and fall within the scope of planning law. For example, councils consider factors like noise, traffic, environmental impact, zoning compliance, and community amenity.

While we care deeply about animal welfare, objections based solely on this issue are unlikely to influence the outcome, as it’s not something councils assess when deciding on planning permits. By aligning your concerns with planning criteria, you can make your objection stronger and more impactful.

1. Compatibility with Farming Zone
   • The site is situated within Wellington Shire’s Farming Zone, but the proposal indicates that there will be more than 5 dogs within this zone, which is not a ‘natural’ fit for land within the Farming Zone. The intended use is inappropriate for this zone, and should be refused.
2. Impact on Neighbouring Properties
   • Noise: Up to 98 dogs and associated activities (barking, traffic, and operational noise) will disrupt the low background noise typical of farming areas.
   • Lighting: Night races with floodlights will affect nearby residents and pose safety risks for drivers on local roads.
   • Odour and Waste Management: The waste plan lacks clarity on how odours and waste will be managed to avoid affecting neighbouring properties.
3. Infrastructure Deficiencies
   • The site lacks access to reticulated water and sewerage services. Effluent will rely on septic systems, raising concerns about waste disposal and potential contamination.
   • The facility’s waste management and water use plans are insufficient to meet environmental and bushfire safety standards, particularly in this bushfire-prone area.
4. Inconsistency with Local Character
   • The proposed 11.22m viewing tower and large-scale development are out of place in the rural, low-scale environment.
   • Visual impacts from the highway and surrounding areas detract from the rural character and scenic amenity.
5. Traffic and Parking Concerns
   • The Planning Permit Application underestimates parking requirements and fails to address the impact of increased traffic on local roads, particularly during evening events.
   • Potential congestion and safety issues for residents and road users near the site.
6. Planning and Environmental Standards
   • The Planning Permit Application does not meet the Planning and Environment Act objectives to secure a safe, pleasant, and efficient environment.
   • It fails to comply with mandatory guidelines for noise mitigation, facility design, and animal welfare under the Code of Practice for the Keeping of Racing Greyhounds. For example, the Planning Permit Application does not address requirements for toileting yards, exercise yards, and day yards. Drainage is also not addressed in the Planning Permit Application.
7. Social and Economic Effects
   • Animal Cruelty: The greyhound industry has a documented history of systemic animal abuse, poor rehoming rates, and underreported deaths.
   • Gambling Impacts: The racing facility introduces new avenues for gambling, which disproportionately affects vulnerable members of the community. The detrimental social costs of gambling on the Victorian community are well-documented. This includes: family and relationship break-downs; family violence impacts; emotional and psychological harm; financial losses; increased demand for government health and human services; impacts on work and productivity; impacts on crime rates. There is no positive net community benefit that could come from increased gambling capabilities in the community.
8. Lack of Community Benefit
   • The development does not demonstrate a net community benefit, as the negative impacts on residents, animals, and the environment outweigh any potential advantages.

By lodging an objection to this proposed new greyhound racing track, you’re helping give vital representation to greyhounds, and the many people and other animals harmed by this industry.

If you wish to take further action to speak out for these gentle dogs, after submitting your objection you can take this additional action here to urge your state representative to support an end to greyhound racing.