Pig farm plan wins approval – Golden Plains Shire council meeting briefs

THE Golden Plains Shire council has approved plans for a pig farm in Barunah Park, near Rokewood, despite ten objections.

Councillors voted unanimously at their September meeting last week to approve the development, planned for about 779 hectares of land in six lots and which is part of the Golden Plains Wind Farm, but with a long list of conditions.

The applicant, Western Plains Pork, wants to establish an outdoor pig farm based on a paddock rotation system, with stock staying on one area of land for two years before that section is turned over for cropping use for eight years.

The pig herd will occupy a total area of 101 hectares at any one time and will live outdoors with shelter provided.

Land within 500 metres of dwellings will not be used for farming, with land 100 metres from Mia Mia creek, wetlands, salinity areas and native vegetation similarly excluded.

The 10 objections raised concerns about contamination of surface and ground water, environmental impacts on wetlands and native vegetation, odour, dust, traffic, water supply, biosecurity and animal welfare.

Other issues were raised in relation to noise, landscaping and fencing.

Three residents – Ruth Westen, Dorothy Johnston and Annie Cranby – outlined some of the concerns via video link while Western Plains Pork CEO and part owner Judy Croagh addressed councillors in person.

Ms Croagh said the company was looking to expand its free range pig production because demand for its pork products was increasing.

She said Western Plains Pork was at the forefront of best practice for the industry, employed 55 people and supported local businesses, and had amended its original plans in an effort to “work with our neighbours”.

“It’s about working alongside the neighbouring properties so that together we get the best outcomes,” Ms Croagh said. “We’re here for the long term and building positive relationships with the community is an important part of that.”

Cr Emma Robbins moved that a permit be issued, with Cr Gavin Gamble seconding.

Cr Gamble said the application was called in for consideration by a council meeting because it was a significant farming operation, and free range pig farming was far more preferable to shed farming.

He said he endorsed the plan as long as the applicant complied with the permit conditions.

Those conditions include that no more than 4418 pigs be kept on the site at any one time, that native vegetation is protected, all fencing around pig areas must be electrified, and various others relating to environmental and amenity issues.

Teesdale flood overlay adopted

A planning scheme amendment to improve preparedness for flooding in Teesdale was formally adopted at the meeting.

Planning Scheme Amendment C104gpla – Teesdale Flood Study (Amendment) was prepared to apply new flood mapping to land identified as flood-prone in the township.

Documents tabled at the meeting said Teesdale is designated as being at major risk of flooding, particularly from Native Hut Creek, and Corangamite Catchment Management Authority investigations had found that existing mapping underestimated that risk.

The amendment was referred to an independent panel after it was exhibited and attracted 18 submissions. The panel recommended the amendment be adopted as exhibited.

Cr Helena Kirby moved that the amendment be formally adopted, but with an addition that the Shire write to the relevant State Government minister requesting that any additional support to Teesdale to mitigate the effects of flooding be provided.

Cr Kirby said that if the Shire did not improve flood mapping for the township, it could be liable or at risk of litigation if development occurred where flood mapping was outdated.

“The amendment provides clear policy direction to ensure development within areas defined as flood prone,” she said.

Cr Sarah Hayden, who seconded the adoption, said some Teesdale residents had expressed concerns about the possibility of higher insurance premiums if the amendment went ahead.

She said insurance companies set premiums based on risk information from various sources.

“The risk exists quite independent of the decision we make here in council tonight,” Cr Hayden said.

The decision to refer the amendment to the panel was to obtain a fair recommendation from an impartial consideration of all arguments, she said.

“The recommendation from the panel is to proceed with the amendment. Having sought and received that recommendation, we cannot turn our back on our responsibility to act,” Cr Hayden said.

Cr Hayden said if the amendment was not implemented, new homes could be built on land using outdated maps, putting future landowners at risk.

Crs Kirby, Hayden, Dom Cook, Des Phelan and mayor Owen Sharkey voted in favour of the adoption.

No vote against was needed because the ‘in favour’ vote was the majority.

Revised budget open for comment

Councillors voted to put a revised 2025-2026 budget – with an option for an overdraft facility – out for public comment until 7 October.

The budget adopted in May has been revised because four classes of assets were due for revaluation in June and those revaluations had not been completed when the original document was prepared.

An officer’s report to the meeting said there had been significant increases in annual depreciation expenses as well as increases in asset values, leading to the need for a revision.

It said the revised plan also included budget “roll-forwards” – for example when projects span multiple financial years – which could be substantial when major infrastructure projects are involved.

The report said an overdraft facility would help with “short-term cashflow fluctuations” during the year if necessary.

Cr Robbins moved the recommendation to exhibit the revised document, with Cr Phelan seconding.

Cr Kirby said she was disappointed that the council had been forced to “go down this line.”

“Year after year we’re being told we’ve got to make cuts, we’ve got the look at the budget,” she said.

Cr Kirby said she believed the council should take former councillor Clayton Whitfield’s advice and “start off at a zero budget.”

“Because at the moment we’re just going backwards as a council,” she said, adding that the Shire would have to start finding alternative sources of income.

“And I don’t mean just jacking up the rates because…there’s no way our residents can afford to have to pay excessive rates.

“I hope everyone’s on board and lets us know what they think.”

Cr Gamble said it was important to acknowledge that some of the factors leading to the budget revision were out of the council’s control.

He also said he hoped it would not be necessary to use an overdraft facility.

The recommendation was adopted on a unanimous vote.

Gambling harm policy gets go-ahead

A formal policy aimed at minimising harm from gambling was adopted on a unanimous vote.

The policy grew out of the 2023-2025 Geelong Region Financial Inclusion Action Plan, which recommended development of an internal and external gambling harm minimisation program.

It will guide strategies and actions on minimising gambling harm related to planning, regulation and enforcement; advocacy and partnerships; service delivery and community development; and council infrastructure.

Cr Robbins moved the adoption with Cr Gamble seconding.

Cr Gamble said there were “some alarming facts” in the background to the recommendation, among them that gambling harm is increasing and that it significantly impacts people aged 18 to 24.

“Australians gamble 20 per cent more online than any country anywhere in the world per capita,” he said.

“Just because we’re not close to a lot of hotels with pokies doesn’t mean we’re escaping the negative and potentially harmful effects of gambling.”

The only submission received to a public exhibition of the policy was from the Alliance for Gambling Reform, which commended the Shire on developing a “robust and forward-thinking policy”.

The alliance said the policy would position Golden Plains as a regional Victorian leader in gambling harm prevention.