Keysborough Australian Animal Protection Society barred from operating vet clinic at new site
AN animal charity in Keysborough says it can’t understand why council rules won’t allow it to operate a vet clinic at its new temporary headquarters — but will allow an adult sex store.
South East
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A CHARITY pet group has been hampered by a quirky planning rule that bars it from running a vet clinic but allows a sex shop to operate in the same area.
The Keysborough Australian Animal Protection Society has now lost its key source of income because of the council rule.
The group wanted to run its popular discount-price vet service from the new shelter but was told it can’t do that in an industrial 2 zoned area.
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Frustrated AAPS president Megan Seccall said it was a bizarre regulation “where you can’t have a cinema, place of assembly or vets yet can have other things like an adult shop”.
The AAPS has moved from its Keysborough site to a temporary one on Bangholme Rd, Dandenong South while a bigger, permanent home is being built in Dandenong.
The group, which rescues and rehomes more than 2500 cats and 800 dogs each year, packed up its Homeleigh Rd home late last month after the land was acquired by the Education Department for a new school.
Their former vet clinic, which provided heavily-discounted surgery, consultations and medications as well as emergency assistance, supplied a crucial income for the not-for-profit organisation’s shelter.
“We understand the rules but ask for a bit of leeway so we can continue our good work for the community,” Ms Secall said.
“We are just asking for those in power to look at the bigger picture, show a bit of compassion.”
Greater Dandenong city, planning, design and amenity acting director Peter Shelton said the society knew of the zone restrictions before moving in.
He said they would work with the group to assist where they could, but ruled out any direct change to allow them to run a public clinic in an industrial 2 zone.
State Government spokesman Crys Ja said they couldn’t help, as it was up to Dandenong Council to submit a planning scheme amendment which State Government would then consider.
If the charity doesn’t get an exemption, Ms Seccall said another option was to set up a new mobile vet clinic — which costs extra money they didn’t have.
The group is aiming to raise $100,000 through a GoFundMe page and has asked the public for help in getting a mobile vet up and running.