Rather than see abandoned or dumped cats put down, he has turned his rural property,15 kilometres from  Cowra, into a cat sanctuary he calls Camp Kitty to feed and care for his "feline friends".

But his neighbours say issues of odour, hygiene and water contamination are affecting their health and they have concerns about the welfare of the up to 200 cats that live there in three large enclosures.

And the council has been told there is a recognised psychological condition known as animal hoarding where the needs of the animals become lost to the person's need for control.

Mr McCudden is now embroiled in a legal battle with his council over whether the council has the power under local government legislation to force him to drastically reduce cat numbers on the property and improve their living conditions.

In a report to Cowra Shire Council, Doctor Kersti​ Seksel​ from Sydney Animal Behaviour Services said although hoarding may start out as a seemingly benevolent mission to save animals, the resulting compulsive care giving is pursued to fulfil un-met human needs, while the real needs of the animals are ignored or disregarded.

Dr Seksel inspected Mr McCudden's property last year and found the majority of cats at the property were not exhibiting normal or preferred behaviours, which is a “clear indicator of mental or psychological distress”.

She recommended no more than 30 cats, separated into social groups of between four and six cats, be housed on the property, unless suitable enclosures were built and more human carers were bought in.

Mr McCudden has admitted to the council staff many of his cats are not desexed, registered and microchipped, but says his  hobby re-homing cats takes up most of his income and he needs up to 18 months to ensure all cats are compliant.

Council has spent about $115,000 attempting to force Mr McCudden to reduce the number of cats on the property to a maximum of 33.

Councillor Ian Brown says in 20 years on the council, he’s never felt so powerless, or so frustrated for his ratepayers than the issue of Camp Kitty.

“It’s a Cowra cat-astrophe,” he said.

Mr McCudden’s neighbour Keith Climpson said he can't drink from his rainwater tank because “particles from the cat faeces are blown up on the roof and go into the tank”.

Mr McCudden went to the Land and Environment Court on Friday saying the council's orders were invalid as they were based on concerns about the cats' welfare, not any environmental impacts, and "that's beyond the powers of the council".

“Undoubtedly there is a lot of cats there, no question,” Mr MrCudden's barrister Philip Clay  said.

“The question is, does the local government act extend to the welfare of the cats?” Mr Clay said.

“If the welfare of cats is not a relevant consideration ... the orders are invalid."

Council staff say the RSPCA has investigated and cleared the property, but this has not allayed concerns.

Council barrister Richard Lancaster said the orders were made on the basis there is an “inappropriate number of cats being held in inappropriate conditions”. He said that is an adequate legal reason for making the orders.

Justice Malcolm Craig reserved his decision.