New poultry breeding farm proposed for southern region

A MAJOR poultry producer in the southern Toowoomba region has put forward plans to the council for a new 70,000-bird operation.

A MAJOR poultry producer in the southern Toowoomba region has put forward plans to the council for a new 70,000-bird operation.

Applicant Darwalla Milling Co submitted a proposal last week for a poultry breeder rearing farm near Coupe Rd at Sandy Camp, about 10km outside of Clifton.

The plans include six new 120m-long sheds that will house up to 70,000 birds collectively, along with the construction of caretaker's accommodation.

The report by Precinct Urban Planning said the new operation would act to re-enforce the company's nearby poultry farms.

"The primary purpose of the farm is rearing replacement breeders for the applicant's breeder farms located in Allora and Clifton," the report said.

"The breeder farms supply fertile eggs to the applicant's hatcheries.

"The sheds are climatically controlled so that they remain at a constant temperature, providing the birds with an optimum environment consistent with optimising growth, and therefore maximising future reproduction.

"Poultry breeder rearing sheds provide a disease-free environment."

According to the applicant, dead birds would be composted at the site in an automatic fashion, while manure would be collected weekly.

The company has a 54ML allocation licence to take water from the nearby bore located on the property.

The plans also included reports into dust, odour and traffic management.

The Toowoomba Regional Council has yet to respond to the application.