How a Shelford broiler farm could be approved after being knocked back

A Golden Plains Shire officer’s report will recommend councillors support a controversial Shelford broiler farm proposal with conditions after the developer lodged an appeal at VCAT.

Golden Plains Shire will recommend councillors support a controversial Shelford broiler farm proposal after the developer lodged an appeal at VCAT.

The plan put forward by Rokewood Livestock Farms Pty Ltd would make up eight sheds, 12 feed silos, water tanks and a machinery and staff building.

Last month councillors did not support a recommendation to approve the development, but also didn’t resolve to formally knock it back.

The council officer’s report, released alongside the agenda for Tuesday night’s meeting, revealed the applicant had since lodged action at the state’s planning tribunal over the council’s failure to make a final decision.

“Council is now required to form a position on the application prior to the VCAT proceeding,” the report said.

“Council officers recommend that Council forms a position of support for the application, subject to the conditions attached to this report.”

It’s understood the council received 15 objections to the proposal relating to potential odour, traffic, noise and visual impacts, water supply and animal welfare.

Inside a broiler chicken shed in Victoria. A proposal for a farm at Shelford is backon the table. Picture: supplied

“Given the number of submissions and media attention, officers are of the opinion that the application is considered significant to the municipality,” the report read.

Conditions proposed by the council suggested the capacity of the broiler farm be capped at 400,000 birds, deliveries must be restricted between the hours of 7am-8pm, discharge, water, sediment and pollution run-off mustn’t be discharged into stormwater drains or nearby waterways.

“If the responsible authority determines the amenity of nearby residents is adversely affected by the emission of an unreasonable odour from the subject land, the permit holder must take such action as required to prevent those emissions,” the report read.

Cr Brett Cunningham flagged “serious concerns” about the proposal and intrusion on neighbouring properties during last month’s council meeting.

“I believe the current planning application for this proposed development would threaten to impose a negative, detrimental, adverse impact on the amenity of the local area and surrounds,” he said at the time.

Other conditions put forward by the council added controls on litter, vermin and dead animal control, landscape plans, construction plans and noise.

A separate application proposing the same property be used to recycle shredded timber to be used as broiler shed litter was approved by the council in August.

The matter will come before Golden Plains Shire Council on Tuesday night.

Originally published as How a Shelford broiler farm could be approved after being knocked back