Northern Grampians Shire Council has “reluctantly” approved a permit for a controversial chicken farm at St Arnaud North.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Councillors at their monthly meeting on Monday unanimously voted to approve a planning permit for the farm at 357 Fitzpatrick Road, St Arnaud North after months of debate. Crs Kevin Erwin and Rob Haswell were absent from the meeting.
The council initially rejected the permit at a meeting in March, with the matter requiring mediation at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal between the permit applicant and the council.
Crs Haswell, Murray Emerson, Merrilee Reid and Tony Driscoll voted against the motion in March.
Councillors voted for the recommended outcome on Monday, approving Planning Permit Application No. 5.2017.61.1 to allow use and development of land for Intensive Animal Husbandry for a free range layer hen farm with 50,000 birds and egg production and associated buildings.
One of the key factors against the permit was the environmental impact the farm could have on the town’s water supply.
“Having spoken to families concerned, my biggest issue was the water at the farm and contamination it may cause,” Cr Reid said.
“There is also possible contamination of the reservoir through dust on the farm.”
St Arnaud resident Robyn McDonald said she was “extremely disappointed” to see the permit approved.
“There are all kinds of environmental issues attached to this farm,” she said.
“The noise and smell are bad enough alone, before taking in the concerns it raises about the town’s biosecurity. People are really concerned.” The permit includes 51 conditions, outlining specific rules the farm cannot breach.
Cr Emerson, who originally voted against the permit in March, said his change of position was not made lightly.
“I will be supporting the permit but keeping a very close eye on the enforcement of conditions they are under.”
More to come.