GANNAWARRA Shire Council will decide tomorrow whether to greenlight a controversial rotational outdoor pig farm for up to 5000 pigs near Koondrook.
There’s been fiery debate in the community whether the farm should be allowed in the shire, which culminated in a public meeting between councillors and objectors earlier this month.
There were close to 50 written objections to the proposal, which was laid on the table at the May ordinary council meeting for a decision at 10am tomorrow. The 440 hectare piggery border the Gunbower Creek, known for its canoe trails, wildlife, and camping grounds.
About 20 objectors stood up and spoke at the June 1 meeting, with an estimated 60 interested residents attending at the Koroop Hall.
Complaints included claims that the pigs would smell (outdoor pigs don’t smell, according to the council report from consultant Livestock Environmental and Planning), dust (if the piggery operates as a grower unit, only less than 25 hectares of the farm will be under pigs at a time. It will be confined to a small area), old growth trees will be removed (the applicants will fence off native vegetation to protect from livestock), the piggery will have storage/holding ponds (only indoor piggeries produce liquid effluent) and that 30 to 40 workers will be accessing the site (there will be four workers).
The risk of Japanese encephalitis was also discussed, with a report from swine veterinarian Chris Richards included in the planning application to confirm there was no increased risk of Japanese encephalitis, which is spread by mosquitoes, not pigs.
All government agencies, including the North Central Catchment Management Authority, Goulburn-Murray Water, Department of Transport, Agriculture Victoria and Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning approved the planning application in the farming zone, with some conditions.
The proposed outdoor pig farm is rotational, meaning the planned 68 paddocks will alternate between holding stock, growing pasture and being cropped to restore the soil.
If successful, the farm will be operated by Western Plains Pork, an Australian-owned business with a reputation for high biosecurity and animal welfare within the pork industry.
One speaker was Audrey Dickins who lives in Campaspe Shire and has interests in a Gannawarra Shire property.
“Gannawarra Shire Council’s role in economic development is to influence appropriate investment and business development in line with council goals and facilitate an environment conducive to business and investment for economic growth,” she said.
“The region’s significant natural features provide a strong foundation for nature-based tourism in which the shire has invested millions of dollars.
“Industries such as energy, mining and intensive animal production (IAP), pig, poultry and animal feedlots are emerging.
“This recent planning proposal has raised valid concerns in the community and questions regarding the location of IAP industries within the shire.
“If this planning permit is passed, and the piggery goes ahead, a precedent is set for future expansion of outdoor rotational piggeries and other IAP developments adjacent to Gunbower Creek, other surrounding wetlands and local townships like Cohuna and Koondrook.”
Ms Dickins said this piggery, if passed, is less than 3km from the township of Koondrook.
“Odour and dust from such a development will impact on the residents of Koondrook and surrounding farms and forest,” she said.
“This could ultimately jeopardise the growth of tourism, reduce liveability of existing residents, stall residential growth and raise ethical questions with the broader community.”
Ms Dickins said some sections of the community were not opposed to a piggery as such, just its location.
Former Gannawarra Shire councillor Keith den Houting has raised concerns about the safety of nearby turtles.
“One very important aspect of this spot is the turtle breeding site in the sandy areas around Safe’s Lagoon,” he said.
“The Fresh Water Turtle Association of Australia has an interest in this region with protective work of nesting sites being encouraged and being done.
“Imagine a turtle crossing a free range piggery. Pigs are destructive and just ask any locals who hunt pigs in the reed and lignum beds nearby or far away.”
Cr Garner Smith said the overwhelming majority of objectors were concerned about the pig farm impacting negatively on the environment and ecotourism along the Gunbower Creek.
Cr Ross Stanton has abstained from all decision making regarding the pig farm, citing a conflict of interest because he lives close to the property.
The community has also launched an online petition against the proposal, which has gained more than 200 signatures.
David Beck launched the petition, saying the “likelihood of impact on this environmentally sensitive area is very high”.
“The Japanese encephalitis virus is also of concern as it can be amplified by pigs and waterbirds and at this location, this is of major concern because of the number of locals and tourists that use this space for recreation throughout the year can also facilitate the movement of JEV to other locations.”
