Council in court over controversial feedlot decision

A CONTROVERSIAL application to develop a 5000 unit cattle and dairy feedlot on Strathane Rd in Ellangowan will be decided by the Planning and Environment Court.

Feedlot Cattle

A CONTROVERSIAL application to develop a 5000 unit cattle and dairy feedlot on Strathane Rd in Ellangowan will be decided by the Planning and Environment Court.

Solicitors for Ellerby Farmland Pty Ltd lodged an appeal against Toowoomba Regional Council's decision last month to knock back the proposal.

Councillors voted against the proposal citing concerns about effluent, odour and water impacts on adjoining properties.

According to the appeal documents, solicitors for Ellerby Farmland believe "there is not enough particularity in the reasons for the refusal for the appellant to meaningfully respond to the reasons for refusal".

The solicitors are seeking finer detail on how, according to TRC, the proposed development conflicts with the rural zone code, rural uses code, environmental standards code, and integrated water cycle management code.

They are also chasing the facts relied upon to support TRC's concerns over effluent, odour, and water impacts on adjoining properties.

"The appellant seeks an order that the appeal be allowed, (and that) the development application, with or without changes, be approved subject to lawful conditions."

In the July ordinary council meeting where the expansion was knocked back, neighbouring property owners argued the proposal would wipe out or affect a neighbouring organic farm.

The motion to reject the development application was successful on a 6-4 count, with Crs Williams, Chris Tait, Anne Glasheen and Geoff McDonald wanting its approval.

Originally published as Council in court over controversial feedlot decision