By KATH GANNAWAY
YARRA Ranges Council gave the go-ahead for a 400-bird free-range meat chicken farm in Don Valley at its meeting on 26 April.
The application by Don Valley resident Chris Brock again brought under scrutiny the definition of ‘intensive animal husbandry’ as defined by the State Government.
Mr Brock sought approval to run the operation on Green Wedge Zone 4 land owned by Mr A. and Mrs K. Fox, at 1755 Don Road.
The council received 16 objections with the main concerns relating to odour, noise, vermin, site management and potential for contaminated run-off into the nearby Don River.
However, no-one spoke against the application at the meeting.
Although described as a ‘small scale’ chicken farm by the council planners, a permit is required under a highly contentious VCAT definition delivered last year that ruled an operation was deemed ‘intensive animal husbandry’ if more than 50 per cent of feed was brought in to the property.
Mr Brock said the proposal was based on a regenerative farming model that was ethical and produced healthy food and healthy land.
He said it was a valid use and small scale by comparison.
The birds would be housed in mobile shelters which would be moved daily with the birds free to feed on a rotational basis on pasture, he said.
“We would like to see small farming as a viable option and to do this we need exemptions and pathways,” he said.
“The approval process should not require farms to pay large sums of money to consultants.
“We don’t see this as a positive pathway.”
In response to objections, Mr Brock said the issues of odour and run-off were managed by the fact that very small amounts of manure were deposited each day and that water run-off was filtered through the grass.
Cr Child said he had researched and visited a similar working farm in Gippsland after hearing concerns of objectors at a consultation meeting earlier this year.
He said he had reached the view that Mr Brock’s proposal was a great agricultural pursuit in the appropriate place and zoning.
“This does fit the bill as far as the Green Wedge is concerned,” he said.
“I don’t believe it will have the effect the objectors are saying it will have.
“There are some very stringent conditions on this applicant, including the site management plan.”
He said the fact that the application was rated as ‘intensive animal husbandry’ was outrageous.
“We have been down this trail before and it’s a disgrace that the State Government has to do something about,” he said.
He said it was important to note that the application was in a Green Wedge Zone 4 which he said supported the type of farming operation proposed.
“The only reasons for it coming here (to council) are the number of objections and because it has been classed as intensive animal husbandry because of the 50 per cent of feed being brought in.
Cr Jason Callanan said he was baffled that it was classed as ‘intensive farming’.
“We need to support this type of farming in the right location and zoning.
“If we don’t support this, where are these farmers going to go,” he said.
The application was passed unanimously.
