Kulnura: Planning Panel tipped to refuse DA for concrete pipe storage at 315 Greta Rd
Plans for existing use approval to store hundreds of large concrete pipes and culverts at a Kulnura chicken farm are expected to sink amid widespread community opposition. See why here.
Central Coast
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A husband and wife duo, who want to store hundreds of concrete pipes and culverts at their Kulnura chicken farm, are expected to be knocked back.
The couple’s development application (DA) is listed to go before the Local Planning Panel’s next meeting on Thursday where a report recommends it be refused.
The report goes a step further and asks Central Coast Council to consider pursuing the couple over a development control order issued to them in March of last year calling on them to stop using their property to store cement pipes and to remove the ones already there.
The property at 315 Greta Rd, Kulnura, is owned by John and Josette Camilleri who have lodged a DA to use part of their 22ha land for a “rural supplies” operation and the construction of a new 9.2m-tall shed.
The rural supplies operation would involve the storage of concrete pipes and culverts while the new shed would house farm machinery — but be located within the rural supplies area of the farm.
The couple’s farm already has five large poultry production sheds and approval to expand four of the existing chicken sheds.
But the storage of hundreds of cement pipes has drawn the ire of surrounding neighbours with the new DA receiving 32 written objections and a further 94 objections through council’s website.
The objections include everything from the unsightly and unsafe nature of the piles of pipes, through to increased traffic, noise and environmental damage from potential contamination leaching from the cement into the drinking water catchment to erosion from inadequate stormwater control.
The objections point out the storage of concrete pipes is not considered “rural supplies” but rather “specialised warehouse and distribution”, which is not supported under the site’s zoning laws.
The proposed farm shed, meanwhile, is also 2.2m taller than the 7m limit for building under the zoning of the land.
“It is considered that the proposed development has the potential to adversely impact on drainage and water quality,” the planing panel’s report states.
“There is a history of unauthorised use and poor site management, evidenced by the current storage of the concrete pipes which is subject to a council order as well as noncompliance with the vegetation management plan [of an existing DA to expand the chicken sheds] and clearing activities.
“While not a reason for refusal, past practices do raise valid concerns about the future management of the site and protection of sensitive vegetation and water quality.”
The DA states the proposed pipe storage area was half a kilometre from the nearest “intermittent” water course.
“Given that the proposed storage site will not be sealed, infiltration would be considered as being natural, no chemicals are to be used and there will be no expected significant adverse impacts on water quality or quantity, the proposed development is acceptably within the constraints of the clause,” the DA states.
“With respect to sediment control, the area between the storage area and the level 1 stream is fully vegetated with (kikuyu dominated) grasses and this will act as a permanent and effective
sediment control area.”
Attempts to contact Mr and Mrs Camilleri were unsuccessful.
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