Illegal feedlot allegedly operating at Muckatah in North East Victoria

A cattle feedlot has been operating on a Moira Shire property subject to a flooding overlay without council approval, it is being claimed.

Cattle in an alleged feedlot near Muckatah Recreation Reserve, said to be run by Danny Herezo.

A Muckatah farm owner has allegedly been running a cattle feedlot on his property for 16 months without a planning permit.

Danny Herezo, who bought the 32ha property on the corner of Chapel and Parnell roads with his wife, Amanda, about February last year, has allegedly been running about 800-900 cattle on the property without permission from Moira Shire Council.

Under the Victorian Code for Cattle Feedlots, permission is required to run a feedlot on the property because it is subject to a flooding overlay.

Complaints had been made to the council about the legitimacy of the operation.

The cattle were often standing in mud, and there are concerns the property does not have adequate drainage.

Jane Irvine, who lived 400m directly opposite the farm, said the stench was “astronomical” in summer and winter, resulting in her having to abandon plans to establish a bed and breakfast.

Ms Irvine said dust emanating from the property during dry summers was also a major problem.

She had made numerous complaints to Moira Shire Council, Agriculture Victoria and the Environment Protection Authority but said no action had been undertaken.

Moira Shire Council acknowledged last July the property was one of four allegedly illegal feedlots being investigated in the area.

One of the others under investigation is believed to be another smaller feedlot operated by Mr Herezo near the Muckatah Recreation Reserve.

Locals claim Mr Herezo has run up to 400 cattle on 4ha of land diagonally opposite the reserve, with cattle also often standing in water after heavy rain.

Moira Shire Council would not answer questions on what action it had taken about the complaints. The council’s infrastructure general manager Andrew Close said the landowners had now lodged a planning application to use their property as a feedlot.

That application by Mr and Mrs Herezo is for a feedlot housing 600 cattle.

“Council planning enforcement officers are working with Agriculture Victoria and the landowner in relation to two properties,” Mr Close said.

“A number of complaints have been received regarding these properties with allegations they were both being used as feedlots and these complaints have been investigated by our Planning Enforcement Department.

“The landowner has lodged a planning application to use the Chapel Road property as a feedlot.

“This application is being assessed and a notice of decision is expected to be issued in coming days.”

The Weekly Times has been unable to contact Mr Herezo.