Victoria Plains residents up in arms about council decision to move pet crematorium

Angry residents plan to fight a controversial council decision to approve a pet crematorium amid cane crops, directly against town planning recommendations. See how far they are prepared to go.

For 20 years, Charlie Fox has enjoyed a peaceful life among Victoria Plains’ sprawling green fields and bountiful cane crops.

Now, the Mackay retiree believes his rural lifestyle is about to change and he plans to take the fight as far as he can.

Mackay Pet Cremations has successfully sought to move to Lot 2 Victoria Plains Road and Mr Fox says he will be directly downwind of the operation.

“There are some very pissed off people out here in Victoria Plains. Why they’re turning (the lot) into an industrial estate?,” Mr Fox said.

“(Council) is going against the town planners. It’s not situated in a very good spot.

“I’m directly downwind of the thing … and there’s 50-something houses within a 2km radius.

“Why are they allowed to cut up productive cane ground and turn it into an industrial ground?”

Mackay Regional Council this week approved a material change of use to allow the crematorium to relocate – with councillors Martin Bella and Alison Jones voting against the amended motion.

The vote, which was against the council recommendation, approved the transfer of the Balnagowan business to the rural Victoria Plains property.

The proposed location is on the “blind side” of one lane of bitumen road and near a water course which takes half of its water off the eastern side of Mount Vince.

Mackay Pet Crematorium has lodged plans to expand with a new shed at Victoria Plains. Picture: documents lodged to Mackay Regional Council

Mr Fox said he planned to fight the decision in the Queensland Planning and Environment Court.

“Where do the animals get put down? There’s no vet out here … they’ll be coming into rural areas and the road is not suitable,” Mr Fox said.

“It’s not only the smell but whatever else comes out of it … would you like to live next to a crematorium?

“There will be action. We don’t want to but if they want to play games, we will take it as far as we need to go.

“I was talking to one of the (area’s) major cane growers and told him about (the original recommendation) being knocked back, and he said ‘you’re kidding’.”

Councillor Belinda Hassan, previously Mackay Funerals manager, said current crematorium technology meant residents were often not aware they were near crematoriums in town.

“Out of the four crematoriums in our area, two are in a rural zone, so I don’t think we are stepping too far outside what previous councils have already approved,” Ms Hassan said.

Mackay Pet Cremations owner Melanie Clark said after buying the property in 2016, she realised there was a need to upgrade the facility and equipment in line with accreditation standards and to “better serve clients”.

Councillor Belinda Hassan said nearby residents would not be aware of any smells from the crematorium due to current technology. Picture: Zizi Averill

“Our current location is unsuitable due to the proximity to neighbours and a lack of three-phase power,” Ms Clark said.

“The dirt road is difficult to navigate in wet weather and flooding can limit access to the property at times.

“The proposed location has three-phased power and is flood free. There are no new neighbours and it is located next to another nearby community facility, the Mount Vincent Rifle Range, which we felt made it unlikely to be a preferred location for neighbours in the future.

“The property is also very attractive because it has the ability to offer a second income stream from cane farming.

“The cane (crop) is currently under lease and we intend to continue to lease it.”

Ms Clark has been approved to build a shed on the property which will house the crematorium.

Originally published as Victoria Plains residents up in arms about council decision to move pet crematorium