By Brendan Rees
Neighbours say they are being driven barking mad by the noise at the Berwick Obedience Dog Club.
And they’re not happy the club has recently applied to extend their hours at Kalora Park Reserve.
Nearby resident Joan Morrison said the club had grown “threefold” bringing “bumper to bumper” traffic and noise to the area.
“It’s got out of hand,” she said. “I’ve been woken up at 6.30am on a Sunday morning.”
“It’s a shocking situation … it’s impacting on our lives and the environment,” she said.
Ms Morrison said although she was all for dog training, there appeared to be “no control” at the club with the majority of people gathering for the social aspect.
“I went over there one Saturday … they were just standing around talking and their dogs were barking at their feet and they didn’t even shut them up.”
She said residents had been successful in getting no-standing signs installed after they complained of being blocked in their drive-ways.
Council met with residents on Thursday 8 August to discuss their concerns regarding the traffic around the club.
Casey acting manager of statutory planning and building services Nick Moore, said council was currently reviewing a request from the Berwick Obedience Club to extend their operating hours.
The club is requesting to extend the hours to open at 9am on Saturday instead of 11.30am, and start the Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday sessions at 6.30pm, instead of 6.45 pm.
“We are carefully considering all residents’ concerns,” Mr Moore said. “Council has identified an opportunity to include some other conditions, which would address the residents’ concerns around amenity.”
He added: “This current permit does not place any limitations on the number of participants, and we do not have any plans to relocate the club.”
Four Oaks Ward councillor Rosalie Crestani said: “We will take on board concerns and try to put the best outcome for the community and for the needs of the club.”
Meanwhile, Ms Morrison said there hadn’t been as many cars or dogs at the reserve since the meeting.
Another resident Robin Browne said the barking annoyed her because it was “so incessant.”
“We put in so much effort and tried to get compromises over the years,” she said.
“It had improved but it seems to be growing again.”
The Berwick Obedience Dog Club has been contacted for comment.
