Not Properly Made Notice of submission - Catherine Jones (Late/Object) - MCU12/0184

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     3. Health Risks

     Many people have bought property in the Cooroy West area because it is clean, green and peaceful. The
     noise and noxious smells, as well as air and water pollution created by a large-scale poultry farm would

     pose significant health risks to local residents. Dealing with these problems would be expensive, time-
     consuming and distressing.

     The issue of road dust on Top Forestry Road highlights some of these pollution issues. Road dust raised by

     heavy traffic associated with the proposed development would coat water collection surfaces, homes and
     gardens. In addition to increasing the risk of respiratory illnesses, road dust would contaminate rainwater
     supplies and home-grown fruit and vegetables.

     Also of concern is the possibility of the outbreak and spread of poultry viral diseases when 250,000
     chickens are crowded into eight sheds. Given the mutability of viruses, some of these bird diseases have
     the potential to be harmful to humans.




     4. Road Safety

     Top Forestry Road is unsealed, narrow, poorly cambered and lacks shoulders. It is barely adequate for its
     current volume of traffic. The banks above and below the road are prone to subsidence, and large trucks

     already using the road cause noticeable ground vibration.

     The increased volume of heavy vehicles necessitated by the construction and servicing of the proposed

     development is beyond the road’s carrying capacity. Such traffic would threaten the safety of local drivers,
     pedestrians and horseriders. It also would increase the risk of landslips along the road and on adjacent
     properties.

     Another road safety issue is the locals’ cavalier approach to stock control. Truck drivers unfamiliar with the
     road run the risk of colliding with ’free-range’ cattle.


     5. Minimal economic benefit to the region
     It is unlikely the poultry farm would provide permanent employment opportunities given Mr Milligan’s current

     preference for hiring backpackers as casual labourers. As the chickens will be transported out of the region
     and processed elsewhere, there are other forgone employment opportunities.


     Neighbouring landholders would face the possibility of decreased property values because potential buyers
     would be deterred by the negative aspects of living near a large-scale poultry farm. For many landholders,
     their property is their only asset and any devaluation compromises their ability to sustain themselves in
     retirement.


     While it seems the development would deliver few economic benefits to the community, ratepayers would
     be expected to pay for upgrading and maintaining road access to the property. They also would be

     contributing to the government subsidies and tax rebates which the development would attract.

     6. A moral conclusion
     That an individual in pursuit of personal financial gain could adversely affect the physical, psychological and
     financial well-being of so many others is unconscionable.



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     Catherine Jones
     25 July 2013