The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has thrown out the planning permit for a massive greyhound racing complex in Kilmany – overturning a council decision that was made despite overwhelming community opposition.

In September 2025, the Wellington Shire Council approved another greyhound racing track in Kilmany despite more than 2,000 public objections. 

The Sale & District Greyhound Racing Club proposed transforming 89 hectares of farmland at Kilmany into a massive multi-million dollar racing and training complex, including two tracks, kennels, a viewing tower, extensive training facilities and additional infrastructure to support the operation.

Local advocates and the Animal Justice Party didn't accept that as the final word. In August 2026, VCAT agreed with them – rejecting the planning permit for the proposed Kilmany greyhound racing complex. The decision overturned the legal approval previously granted by Wellington Shire Council and delivered a major victory for local community advocates and Dr Helen Jeges who initiated the VCAT proceedings.

The legal challenge was brought by Dr Helen Jeges, a paediatric neuropsychologist, Sale resident, and Animal Justice Party candidate for Eastern Victoria. With significant support from MP Georgie Purcell, Dr Jeges challenged the council's decision as a concerned local citizen, raising concerns about gambling harm, noise, and animal welfare.

The outcome of the case is a significant victory for community advocacy, animal welfare and transparent planning. It also demonstrates how committed community members could successfully challenge heavily funded racing authorities.

While the larger fight is not over, the racing club now faces significant obstacles if it wishes to pursue the development further. Before any new application can be approved, the Sale & District Greyhound Racing Club would need to address the major and potentially costly technical requirements identified by VCAT, including bushfire concerns and necessary design modifications. The racing club would then need to submit a new application through the council – a process that will no doubt be subject to further public scrutiny, strict regulatory requirements, and additional community objections.

Victoria has more greyhound racing tracks than any other Australian state, in a country that has more than anywhere else in the world. Wins like this one are how that changes. With people like Dr Jeges and the Animal Justice Party standing up again and again, the day we get to report that commercial greyhound racing has ended in Victoria for good gets a little closer – and today, we're proud to have moved one step nearer to it.