Possible new location for Waipa District Dog Pound
23 February 2017
Waipa District Council will re-investigate potential new locations for their Dog Pound as part of plans to improve the facility.
The dog pound in Kihikihi which has been on its current site for more than 35 years, is programmed for a significant upgrade this year. This upgrade would more than triple the size of the current facility and offer a much more secure space by including segregated areas and a larger area to house dogs.
In November last year when the project plans were presented to Council, Council heard concerns from some nearby residents about the level of sound the improved pound could have on neighbouring properties.
While the design for the improvement project met all noise restriction levels under the Council's District Plan, Council agreed to undertake further investigation around acoustic levels to establish whether further options to decrease the sound effects could be implemented.
Investigation showed further changes could be made however the costs of the changes would significantly exceed the $730,000 budget.
Wayne Allen, Manager Planning and Regulatory said options to reduce the effects of sound included design modifications, bunding, fencing, landscaping and revised management practices.
While further things can be put in place to minimise the effects of sound even more, the cost of implementing these would exceed the project budget and it makes more sense to look at new locations.
Additional work would take the project cost close to $1m. Because of this, it makes more sense for Council to investigate other locations in Kihikihi and Te Awamutu to build a new facility.
Allen explained that Council owned land would be the first option, initially we will be looking at opportunities on Council owned land but if no suitable location is found, Council may look at the opportunity to sell the current Havelock Street site in Kihikihi to fund any land purchase costs.
The dog pound will continue to operate at the Havelock Street site until a suitable location is found.
The pound is one of two servicing Waipa district, the other is in Cambridge. Around 450 dogs are impounded in Waipa every year, the majority returned to their owners or rehomed.
For more information, contact: Natalie Palmer 027 807 3174