THE Golden Plains Shire council has approved plans for a pig farm in Barunah Park, near Rokewood, despite ten objections.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
The pig herd will occupy a total area of 101 hectares at any one time and will live outdoors with shelter provided.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Other issues were raised in relation to noise, landscaping and fencing.<\/p>\n
Three residents \u2013 Ruth Westen, Dorothy Johnston and Annie Cranby \u2013 outlined some of the concerns via video link while Western Plains Pork CEO and part owner Judy Croagh addressed councillors in person.<\/p>\n
Ms Croagh said the company was looking to expand its free range pig production because demand for its pork products was increasing.<\/p>\n
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 \u201cwork with our neighbours\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s about working alongside the neighbouring properties so that together we get the best outcomes,\u201d Ms Croagh said. \u201cWe\u2019re here for the long term and building positive relationships with the community is an important part of that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Cr Emma Robbins moved that a permit be issued, with Cr Gavin Gamble seconding.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
He said he endorsed the plan as long as the applicant complied with the permit conditions.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Teesdale flood overlay adopted<\/strong><\/p>\n A planning scheme amendment to improve preparedness for flooding in Teesdale was formally adopted at the meeting.<\/p>\n Planning Scheme Amendment C104gpla \u2013 Teesdale Flood Study (Amendment) was prepared to apply new flood mapping to land identified as flood-prone in the township.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThe amendment provides clear policy direction to ensure development within areas defined as flood prone,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n She said insurance companies set premiums based on risk information from various sources.<\/p>\n \u201cThe risk exists quite independent of the decision we make here in council tonight,\u201d Cr Hayden said.<\/p>\n The decision to refer the amendment to the panel was to obtain a fair recommendation from an impartial consideration of all arguments, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 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,\u201d Cr Hayden said.<\/p>\n Cr Hayden said if the amendment was not implemented, new homes could be built on land using outdated maps, putting future landowners at risk.<\/p>\n Crs Kirby, Hayden, Dom Cook, Des Phelan and mayor Owen Sharkey voted in favour of the adoption.<\/p>\n No vote against was needed because the \u2018in favour\u2019 vote was the majority.<\/p>\n Revised budget open for comment<\/strong><\/p>\n Councillors voted to put a revised 2025-2026 budget \u2013 with an option for an overdraft facility \u2013 out for public comment until 7 October.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n An officer\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n It said the revised plan also included budget \u201croll-forwards\u201d \u2013 for example when projects span multiple financial years \u2013 which could be substantial when major infrastructure projects are involved.<\/p>\n The report said an overdraft facility would help with \u201cshort-term cashflow fluctuations\u201d during the year if necessary.<\/p>\n Cr Robbins moved the recommendation to exhibit the revised document, with Cr Phelan seconding.<\/p>\n Cr Kirby said she was disappointed that the council had been forced to \u201cgo down this line.”<\/p>\n \u201cYear after year we\u2019re being told we\u2019ve got to make cuts, we\u2019ve got the look at the budget,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Cr Kirby said she believed the council should take former councillor Clayton Whitfield\u2019s advice and \u201cstart off at a zero budget.”<\/p>\n \u201cBecause at the moment we\u2019re just going backwards as a council,\u201d she said, adding that the Shire would have to start finding alternative sources of income.<\/p>\n \u201cAnd I don\u2019t mean just jacking up the rates because\u2026there\u2019s no way our residents can afford to have to pay excessive rates.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope everyone\u2019s on board and lets us know what they think.\u201d<\/p>\n Cr Gamble said it was important to acknowledge that some of the factors leading to the budget revision were out of the council\u2019s control.<\/p>\n He also said he hoped it would not be necessary to use an overdraft facility.<\/p>\n The recommendation was adopted on a unanimous vote.<\/p>\n