Peats Ridge chicken farm approved by local planning panel
A decision has been made on plans to turn a parcel of land in Peats Ridge used to grow avocadoes and citrus fruits into a $1.7m chicken farm.
Central Coast
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A $1.7m proposal for a poultry farm in Peats Ridge has been approved.
The Central Coast Local Planning Panel has announced its unanimously approval of the proposed chicken farm at 1411 Peats Ridge Rd.
The 180,000sq m site, currently used for growing avocadoes and citrus fruit, will be transformed into a new tunnel ventilated poultry farm.
There will be four tunnels which will be fully enclosed and climate-controlled.
The owners, Olivetree Grove Pty Ltd, have been in the agricultural sector for more than 50 years.
The chickens will be grown for human consumption, with each shed having the capacity to house 50,000 chickens at the one time. This equates to more than one million chickens per year.
The farms hours of operation will be 24/7 with a 10 week rotational which includes an eight week growing period and two week clean out.
The application attracted more than 20 objections relating to noise, including a petition with 60 signatures. Locals objected to the size of the development, odour, noise, truck movements in and out of the site, spread of diseases as well as animal welfare.
The council report, which also supported the DA, states that protecting the agricultural industry on the coast “adds to the economic and scenic value, as well as the inherent social value of producing fresh, locally grown produce”.
“The proposal is considered to be in the public interest by providing facilities for the enhanced use of rural primary production land in a manner which can minimise environmental impacts,” the report says.
The report indicates the noise assessment complies with the NSW EPA’s Industrial Noise Policy, while an air quality assessment indicated that the development would not cause “unreasonable odour/dust impacts”.
The farm will be permanently quarantined to ensure that any disease outbreaks are contained on site and bird carcasses are not allowed to be buried on site.