Too many flies? Horse neighbors block new houses near country racetrack

Local opposition to the plan has so far been successful, with one planning application now making its way to the Supreme Court after being rejected by the council and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Court.

An application for 16 residences at 21-27 George Street was rejected at the VCAT last month due to concerns about conflicts between the horse and housing industries.

“[It] is a form of intense housing development that will be sandwiched between existing equine activity,” the VCAT decision said.

“I’m afraid the proposal will allow … adverse effects on residential comfort from noise, smell and visual impact.”

Horse trainer Ian Stewart at his stable on George Street in Kilmore where the developers bought the land.Credit:Edde Jim

On the other side of George Street, a separate application for 20 residences was submitted by the same developer last month. The plan has not yet gone to the council, but is also expected to be rejected.

Kilmore rate-paying association president Vyvienne Whitehurst said George Street has historical links to the horse industry and nearby racetracks that are more than 100 years old.

“If you buy a property next to a shooting range, you can’t complain to the board if you don’t like the shooting next door,” he said.

The central Victorian town of Kilmore, about an hour’s drive from Melbourne.Credit:Eddie Jim

“That’s what will happen. They’re city people, they don’t know anything about horses.”

Jim Karambelas, who manages the planning app on behalf of the developer, said it was only a matter of time before the horse was removed from George Street.

He said the proposed housing would appeal to downsizing and first-time homebuyers looking to move to the country on a tight budget.

“This will change, sooner or later. Nobody has an exact date on that, but with the amount of land my client is buying, that’s going to change quickly,” he said.

One of the properties where 16 residences have been proposed.Credit:Eddie Jim

Mr Karambelas said the VCAT decision identified the area near the racetrack as a horse area, but he was not aware of any overlays preventing construction.

“There is absolutely nothing from the board or the VCAT to point us in the right direction [as] how this should be developed,” he said.

Another vacant plot next to the racetrack has also been highlighted for possible redevelopment, with Kilmore Racing Club seeking to convert it from public use to residential.

The club’s chief executive, Ben Murphy, said the 2.2-acre property was a car park in the heyday of harness racing in the 1980s, when thousands would attend the Kilmore Cup.

“Harness racing has become a TV sport. The presence on the ground has decreased, so the land is in surplus for our needs,” he said.

However, rezoning was unsuccessful, after an independent panel recommended that amendments to the planning scheme be abandoned as housing would clash with the nearby horse area.

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Murphy said the decision was disappointing, as the area near the racetrack is no longer the center of the horse industry as it used to be. Many coaches have moved north to larger properties, he said.

“History will tell you this is what happened [to the horse industry near a racetrack]it happened in Caulfield,” he said.

“Basically, it’s no different than a pub that has had live music for 100 years and gentrify, then live music disappears because people don’t want to.”

Mitchell Shire Council chief executive Brett Luxford said the council encourages the development of “appropriately designed” housing that contributes positively to the character of the neighborhood.

He said the council had identified areas in Kilmore that were suitable for medium and high density housing.

“These sites [on George Street] not included in this area,” he said.

“If an application like this is approved, future residents may be burdened by noise, odor, and visual comfort impacts.”

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