GANNAWARRA Shire Council will meet with dozens of objectors to a controversial outdoor pig farm for up to 5000 pigs near Koondrook tonight.
Cr Garner Smith moved a motion that council defer a decision on a planning permit until the next ordinary meeting and hold a meeting between councillors, the permit applicant, objectors and the public.
The meeting will be held at the Koroop Hall Wednesday, from 6.30pm.
Cr Smith said with 46 objectors, he was concerned that insufficient time had been allowed to make an “informed” decision.
“Also councillors were not supplied the objections and had to request them,” he said.
“Councillors did not receive them until Tuesday last week, allowing only eight days to understand the concerns of the community.
“I believe councillors must take command of decisions such as these that set precedents for our shire, regardless of the outcome.”
The subject site comprises three separate properties including 191 Orrs Road, 127 Orrs Road and 1399 Cohuna-Koondrook Road, Gannawarra. The total area of the site is approximately 439.43ha.
Council officers recommended that the application be approved subject to 16 conditions.
Key issues raised in the objections included concerns regarding the impact on the natural environment including adjoining waterways; (Gunbower Creek), Gunbower National Park, Safes Lagoon, wetlands, native plants and wildlife including aquatic species, birds, turtles; impact on cultural heritage; concern regarding the siting of the piggery in this proposed location and its potential to impact upon tourism in the area; concern regarding the site’s proximity to the Wetlander, in particular that the smell and dust from the piggery will impact the enjoyment of tourists and visitors; potential impact upon kayak and canoe ventures; concerns regarding emission of odour and generation of dust; effluent control and management and ability to restrict effluent from entering waterways (nutrient runoff and leaching); biosecurity risks to adjoining landowners.
Other concerns included risk of encephalitis; risk of increasing the feral pig population in the local area; increase in flies, and; loss in property value.
Cr Smith said he hadn’t reached a conclusion on the matter, but said he supported the opportunity to facilitate business ventures in the shire.”I need a reason to reject or amend this application and that reason might not be amongst the objectors, but I can’t possibly know if the objectors have not had enough of a chance to state their case properly,” he said at the May ordinary council meeting.”Council is making a decision of behalf of the community and our job is to represent the community and ensure we are making sound decisions on their behalf.”We will be setting a precedence. If we allow this project to go ahead then we are green lighting other projects of a similar nature and if we object then maybe they can’t go ahead.”It’s really important we get this right and by proposing an extra month we can allow this process to happen … we just need to be sure.”Regardless of the outcome, we need to stand up, look people in the eye and say we did the right thing, considered it carefully and if they disagree, so be it.”Cr Kelvin Burt said people were “screaming at not being heard”, while Cr Travis Collier said he would “sleep a lot better” knowing council did the best it could.”I’ve spoken to the applicant and objectors and they all make good points, but I’m not comfortable with the amount of information I have received so far and the misinformation going around.”The motion was carried five votes to one, with Cr Ross Stanton leaving the meeting due to a conflict of interest.The matter will tabled at the June meeting on Wednesday, June 15 at the Kerang Senior Citizens Centre, starting at 10am.
