MCU12/0184 Concerns about development approval Heidi DeWald

Subject: 1192 dw  Fyi Councillors  MCU12/0184  Concern re intensive chicken farm
From: Heidi DeWald
Date: 2013-12-05T04:25:18+00:00
To: Internet Mailbox Sunshine Coast Regional Council, Cr Rick Baberowski, Cr Tim Dwyer, Cr Peter Cox, Cr Chris Thompson, Cr Jenny McKay, Cr Christian Dickson, Cr Ted Hungerford, Cr Jason O'Pray, Cr Stephen Robinson, Cr Greg Rogerson, Cr Russell Green - Tewantin Office, Cr Tony Wellington - Tewantin Office

Dear Councillors,

Concern re highly intensive chicken farm 

Top Forestry Road, Ridgewood

 

I am a new resident and voter in the Cooroy area and have some serious concerns regarding a proposed chicken farm just around the corner from our home.

The proposal is for hundreds of thousands of chickens to be raised on a relatively small property, producing hundreds of tonnes of foul smelling chicken manure, with runoff from the manure and chemicals used to treat the chickens getting into the local waterways.

The chicken farm is proposed for Top Forestry Road in Ridgewood (Cooroy).  This is a gravel road and not built to carry large double B trucks.  These trucks will then be travelling along Old Ceylon Road and Belli Creek road, neither of which is well suited for these sorts of vehicles, with many tight bends, particularly Belli Creek Road.  Just last night there was a horrible accident on this small winding road.

The intensity of this farm far exceeds any sustainable capacity and it will be the local residents who will suffer most from the noise, smell and chemicals. Not to mention the dust full of harmful chemicals which we will be unable to stop entering into our water tanks and water supply.  In addition, those residents living along the truck routes will also have to deal with a much higher density of noise and traffic as will Cooroy Village.

I understand your Council Officers have recommended against the approval of this application, so I hope you will be following that advice.

I simply do not understand how Council could allow such an intensive activity to be conducted on such a restricted piece of land.  Until now, the property has been growing avocado trees, which have not impacted the local community or waterways and air quality.  However, this latest venture is not safe, practical, nor is it wanted by the locals.

I would implore you to do whatever you can to stop this change of use for the property going ahead.

Thank you in anticipation, for your assistance in this matter.

  

Heidi DeWald 

417 Old Ceylon Road

Ridgewood   4563