General News
23 May, 2024
Locals oppose broiler farm applications in Carisbrook, citing environmental and community impact
The proposed development of two new broiler farms near Carisbrook has left residents outraged — they say the facility potentially threatens not just local amenities but also the future of a $24 million project. Planning permit applications for...
The proposed development of two new broiler farms near Carisbrook has left residents outraged — they say the facility potentially threatens not just local amenities but also the future of a $24 million project.
Planning permit applications for class B broiler farms at 705 Baringhup Road and 3280 Pyrenees Highway were recently lodged for the consideration of the Central Goldfields Shire Council (CGSC).
Expected to cost $13 million each, both proposals outline plans to construct a six shed broiler farm, an amenities and generator room, a hot water heating facility room, a caretakers residence and a water retention dam.
In line with legislative requirements, the Maryborough-based council sent out public notices to landowners neighbouring the subject sites, put up signage near the area and advertised the applications on its website.
Following the publicity of the matter, many residents promptly expressed their sharp disapproval.
Concerns raised highlight the developments’ possible impact on surrounding environment, adjacent properties, and quality of life.
Among those affected is Mark Woods, who has lived in Carisbrook for nearly 25 years and is currently residing at Donovans Road.
According to Mr Woods, if the applications are approved, it would enforce “the area’s reputation for being the feral end of central Victoria”.
“We’re against it because it’s turning the area into an industrial zone and that will in turn devalue our property. It’s about the loss of amenity — this is beautiful prime agricultural land,” he said.
“We will feel very bad if it goes ahead, we’ll be let down. Neighbours need to be consulted and included in these decisions.
“And we won’t be getting compensated either.”
If new broiler farms arrive, it could lead to the long time local and his family’s departure.
“This could be the final straw — we are sick of it,” Mr Woods said.
“Our kids’ futures will also be devalued as they’re the ones that will inherit the property.
“We will certainly consider leaving because this will wear us down in the end.”
Like Mr Woods, his neighbour Ross Gregory, has also submitted an objection.
When Mr Gregory first moved to his house overlooking Bald Hill Road, he would wake up to “magnificent” views, consisting of vast lush landscapes.
In recent years, this scenery has been punctuated by broiler farm sheds in the distance, with the farthest facility about 2.5 kilometres away from his property.
“There are two existing broiler farms here but they don’t worry me,” he said.
“What definitely does worry me is this new proposed farm because if it goes ahead, it’ll be only 1.2 kms away from me.
“So, I wasn’t happy when I received the notice — I didn’t think there’d be one going that close to me.”
A major problem, Mr Gregory said, and one most objectors concur with, is the odour that would emanate from the location.
“It would be a real issue for me,” he said.
“Visually, if they were to put trees all around, it would be alright but what I’m really concerned about is the smell.
“I’m dreading it because sometimes I get a whiff from the farm that’s about 2.5 kms away so if this gets put at about half that distance, I’m going to get that smell on a regular basis.
“If there’s a bad [stench] no one would want to live here.”
Another family, who “recently built [their] forever home in the area”, hoping to settle in a “clean and safe farming community”, also wrote to CGSC, listing out seven reasons for objecting to the farms.
The proximity of the Baker’s property to the proposed development will mean exposure to the “repulsive” smell as well as an increase in “noise” and “glare”.
In her submission, Amber Baker also elaborated on her concerns regarding the “excessive number of trucks” using local roads.
“The safety [of] my husband, children, dogs, stud and commercial sheep when moving stock across Baringhup Road, [Allans Road and Kayes Road] regularly, would be at a greater risk...with an increase of thousands of trucks using the surrounding roads,” she said.
“We need broiler farms in Australia but choosing areas with the least amount of impact on as few people, animals and environment is paramount.”
As of Tuesday, May 21, CGSC has received 17 objections against the proposals — including from the Castlemaine Maryborough Rail Trail (CMRT) committee.
The project involves the construction of a 55-kilometre path, along the unused rail corridor between the two towns.
According to the site plans for the proposed broiler farm in Moolort, the buffer zone around the sheds engulfs a stretch of the rail reserve — potentially cutting it off from public use.
“The buffer zone includes part of the rail line itself for 1.3 kms,” CMRT Incorporated president Janice Simpson said.
“Our question to council is whether the buffer zone means that no people are allowed in that area, whether that’s walking or riding a bike.
“Our main objection is that if it goes ahead, it would make the rail trail unviable. We’ve already spent a lot of money on this and it’s projected to bring in so many benefits.
“We would be very concerned about the smell but the main thing is, if we’re actually excluded from using that part of the rail line then that would be an end for the rail trail.”
Ms Simpson said the group was actively engaging with the council as well as with the community — with an online petition started by CMRT on May 18, receiving 280 signatures of support since.
While initial discussions with CGSC representatives have been positive, Ms Simpson and other residents said council should have done more to inform the public about the applications.
“Our conversation with council was very productive but we do think that given this is a $26 million broiler farm development, residents would be interested in reading about this in the local paper as a planning application and not just advertised on the council website because it was very hard to find,” she said.
Having taken this feedback on, CGSC manager statutory services Peter Field said although council complied with notice requirements, it would undertake further advertising.
“Given the interest expressed at this early stage of the applications, council has listened to the community and we intend to give further notice of both applications via a public notice in The Carisbrook Mercury newspaper,” he said.
“Beyond meeting minimum requirements we have notified people and properties further away from the immediate area surrounding the proposed farms.
“All landowners and/or occupiers within a 1.7 km distance from the approximate middle location of the proposed broiler sheds at each application site received a notice letter.”
Mr Field added that residents and affected parties could continue to file objections before the matter was finalised.
“The applications are at an early stage in the planning process and remain subject to a full assessment in accordance with the planning framework,” he said.
“[Council] must and will consider any objection or submission it receives up until the time that the applications are decided.
“Any person may lodge an objection, and council encourages any person with a concern or interest in an application to lodge an objection or submission so all relevant issues can be identified, understood, and assessed.”
