MCU12/0184 Objection - Jeanette Merrell Ridgewood

Subject: MCU12/0184 Comments and Updates on revised development application
From: Jeanette Merrell
Date: 2014-08-26T22:26:44+00:00
To: Mailbox Council Mail

Comments and updates on the revised development application of:
MCU12/0184 

Twelve months of extensive research on  broiler farm activities within
Australia and throughout the world has resulted in a Facebook page
called NO broiler Farm Cooroy with a growing number of well over one
thousand, mainly local, national and international active followers. The
Facebook page has revealed many valid concerns about the proposed
intensive broiler factory farm in an area with such high ecological and
environmental values. The local  community who are against such an
imposition are troubled by the many potential dangers and adverse
consequences of such a proposal. There are also far reaching valid
concerns in an area that attracts tourists and residents from all over
the world and is listed with UNESCO as the Noosa Biosphere.

Definition of a broiler shed FACTORY FARM…….could be described as
another commodity coming off the assembly line with no thought given to
the safety or the health and wellbeing of the birds, the environment and
the consumer. Factory farms focus is on efficiency concept of
output/input costs and financial gain by the multi-national companies –
allowing animal mistreatment for the sake of the bottom line. It ignores
what is happening with these living organisms, in inhumane windowless
industrial sheds which are suitable only for inanimate machinery.

The following concerns have been shared through Facebook  : they are
considered to be valid concerns based on personal experience of other
existing broiler factory farm activity, including other Chicken Broiler
Factory Farms within Australia. The Facebook followers have asked that
their overall concerns be taken into consideration.

 

 

1.      Such a proposal is not in alignment with the healthy lifestyle
and sustainable practices of the Noosa Council.      

2.      The proposal does not support the Noosa biodiversity
conservation philosophy to protect, enhance and connect natural areas.

3.      There is a genuine concern that once an intense broiler factory
farm is established in a specific Council area, many more applications
will follow. Should this occur, Noosa Biosphere would lose its hard
fought status as a unique World Sustainability model. The reader is
strongly urged to go to the Noosa Biosphere website at
http://www.noosabiosphere.info/what_is_a_biosphere.htm
<http://www.noosabiosphere.info/what_is_a_biosphere.htm>   to gain a
full understanding of what a biosphere is and how it works. It is our
responsibility to protect our beautiful environment for future
generations to enjoy.

4.      According to the World Health Organization, outdoor air
pollution created by factory farming, creates a very serious
environmental health risk linked to both chronic and acute health
conditions, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, asthma,
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory infections.
Source: Dr Mercola.

5.      Broiler production is considered to be an inherently odour
producing activity due to the intensity of the process. (Department of
Primary Industries 2009). Odour stench from broiler sheds has been noted
by public reaction for those who live, work and drive within a radius of
several kilometres, depending on direction of wind drift. Scientific
studies show that this odour stench is actually a toxic concoction of
gaseous chemicals drifting in the air. These stench filled emissions of
pollution can sit in pockets for days, making living unbearable. The
concentration, duration, frequency, intensity and tolerance of this
stench, are factors not considered by this proposal. 

6.      Concerns with noise. Intensive broiler factories are excessively
noisy and potentially damaging to the human ear and can cause many more
physiological imbalances. Noise emitted from fans, feeders, poultry
loading equipment, feed delivery, fork-lifts, farm equipment, excessive
noise from inside the sheds from thousands of distressed chickens, in
combination with unattended alarms going off due to potential poor farm
management, thousands of semi-trailers driving along local roads,
braking/accelerating, delivering, reversing, and removing chickens from
the factory broiler sheds.................... You are invited to listen
to a B-double reversing. http://youtu.be/9nSWoJ7A3Do
<http://youtu.be/9nSWoJ7A3Do>   Anyone living on-route, nearby or
neighbours of intense broiler factory sheds, would be traumatized by
this cacophony of noise.

7.      The proposal has triggered major concerns for the intended use
of massive amounts of B-Double semi trailers and large trucks which will
inevitably increase the risk of road accidents and fatalities. The
safety and well being of the residents and visitors who use these local
narrow winding roads, such as, cyclists (recreational and professional),
bikers, cars, school children, school buses, pedestrians and horse
trainers. The large volumes of heavy transport on these narrow winding
roads through Cooroy, along Cooroy-Belli Creek Road and turning into Old
Ceylon Road and then into Top Forestry Road, would make this area very
dangerous. It is not uncommon for these heavy vehicles to roll over and
have head on collisions along roads that were not built for such busy
heavy vehicle use. See below for photo examples. Please contact the
writer for more photos. There are also many Land For Wildlife properties
along these same roads and the heavy transport with slower brake
capacity would potentially increase the carnage to wildlife and koalas.

8.      The excessive dust from vehicle activity will affect domestic
rainwater collection and could trigger lung and respiratory conditions
of some residents. In combination with excessive odour and distressed
chickens being driven through school zones in Cooroy and past peaceful
residential homes, the effects could potentially be widespread. The
ongoing trauma to, not only the chickens, but to the community
associated with thousands of semi trailers driving through Cooroy (the
heart of the Noosa Biosphere), is not acceptable or welcome. 

9.      Insect infestation associated with broiler factory farm
activities is of huge concern. The flies, mosquitoes and other annoying
insects will be attracted to the broiler factory farm location which
will create even more concerns for local residents. Mosquitoes can be
carriers of debilitating and sometimes deadly diseases and have been
mentioned in some medical journals as carriers of Lyme disease. 

10.   The World Health Organization is concerned about the Influenza
viruses (bird flu) circulating in chickens that pose threats to human
health.  The primary risk factor for human infection appears to be
direct or indirect exposure to infected live or dead animals or
contaminated environments. This includes travelling between farms and
slaughterhouses. This is a concern for not only local residents but for
the Noosa tourist industry.

11.   In 2006 some people were without electricity in this area for 10
days because of the massive storm devastation after 200km winds ripped
through the area with resultant power lines down. There have been
concerns raised that the generators required will not be sufficient to
last under such circumstances and thousands of chickens will perish.
Also noise from back-up large scale generators will create even more
loud noise. Power failures are not uncommon in the proposed area. 

Elsewhere in the world, factory farms have been destroyed in tornados
and cyclones, and such weather events cannot be discounted in this area.
In such events large sheets of metal debris, chickens, shed litter,
chemical poisons, stored fuel for generators etc could pose additional
problems for local residents. There is also no guarantee that the
waterways will not be contaminated as a consequence.

12.   There are real concerns that toxic chemicals will eventually enter
into our healthy waterways, waterways which have had many thousands of
taxpayer dollars spent on riverbank restoration and water quality
improvement in recent years. Water quality is proven to be paramount for
the many and varied forms of life which depend on water for survival.
Even though the latest proposal suggests that the shed litter will be
removed from the property, with the geographical nature of the site,
accidents can and do occur, no matter what the proposal states. With
thousands of avocado trees already on the property, it is a huge concern
that not all the shed litter will be removed as stated. The proposal has
been changed so many times now that there is no guarantee that our
environment will be protected. 

13.   Water quality concerns include but are not limited to the growth
of algae in our waterways from the excess nitrogen and phosphorous from
any potential shed litter run-off, which can impact on fragile
ecosystems, paving the way for exotic species to take over native
species’ habitat, which of course can lead to extinguishing our
biodiversity in a once stable and productive ecosystem. 

14.   Concerns that the protection of Riparian vegetation which
preserves river banks and roosting areas, would not be respected because
of any potential runoff and seepage. No amount of attention to detail
could protect the environment from ‘accidents’ caused by storms and
heavy rainfall, especially on sloping land such as this proposed factory
site.

15.   Concerns for the amphibian populations in the Mary River
catchment, particularly the tributary of Blackfellow Creek. The
scientific community is increasingly recognizing the role of chemical
pollutants in amphibian decline. Studies show that frog skin is highly
permeable.... Giant Barred Frog and Cascade Tree Frog are both
‘Endangered Species’ which inhabit Blackfellow Creek.

16.   There are also concerns about the platypus living in the local
waterways. Platypus are vulnerable to the effects of pollution and as
they are semi-aquatic, they rely on the health of small creeks and
rivers for their survival. Blackfellow Creek is the home of many
platypus. All platypus feed on a healthy selection of small water
animals such as insect larvae, freshwater shrimps and crayfish.
Any toxic runoff from shed litter each year into this habitat will be
detrimental to all life forms that rely on quality water in the
ecosystem. 

17.   There are other concerns about the future water quality as it is
an important issue for human health and the environment. Any toxic
runoff from the shed litter (which could happen as a result of a
catastrophic storm or by not removing the shed litter as proposed?) from
at least one and a half million broiler chickens annually with high
concentrations of ammonia, nitrogen, antibiotics, arsenic, cresylic
acid, formaldehyde and organophosphate pesticides, would be an
environmental disaster with far reaching consequences, including
potential litigation and destruction of a healthy habitat environment.

18.   There are also concerns with the inhumane nature of this form of
high volume, quick production in chicken factory farming practices.
Thousands of birds are forced to live in confined, concentrated
conditions, which apart from being unnatural is considered to be cruel.
These birds never see sunlight and are given antibiotic treatments as
well as growth promoters for rapid growth, which can cause cruel
crippling, as well as organ failure. The problems are exacerbated by
having to live their lives in the progressive build up of damp ammonia
soaked litter. 

We refer the reader to view evidence of such practices on
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbZO7QBb1tI
<http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbZO7QBb1tI> 

 

19.   Concerns also exist for the koala habitat in the Top Forestry area
including Cooroy-Belli Creek Road area. With thousands of semi trailers
and large truck movements on these roads as well as the increased number
of wild dogs attracted to the area, Deborah Tabart from the Australian
Koala Foundation is concerned that “Road kill and dog attacks are both
key conservation concerns for koalas”. More localized annihilation of
koalas will be inevitable should this proposal proceed. 

20.   Concerns for the well known habitat in and around Top Forestry of
the Powerful Owl Ninox Strenua, Sooty Owl Tyto Tenebricosa, Black
Breasted Button Tail Quail Turnix Melanogaster and many other threatened
flora and fauna species. Other similarly cryptic birds utilising the
same habitat as the Black-breasted Button-quail are threatened (e.g. Fig
Parrot Cyclopsitta diopthalma, Marbled Frogmouth Podargus ocellatus,
Rufous Scrub-bird Atrichornis rufescens, Eastern Bristlebird, northern
subspecies Dasyornis brachypterus monoides), and most other Australian
button-quail are also threatened or declining. Biological effects from
visual disturbance of vehicles and the effect of disturbance by traffic
noise, machinery and bright lights, can effect bird populations in a
number of ways. Non-Agricultural development in any area affects
populations of arboreal prey species, particularly the Greater Glider
which reduces food availability for the Powerful Owls. Owls are also
susceptible to temporary blindness by bright lights from broiler farm
vehicles and factory buildings in a known habitat, this will increase
the road kill. Additionally, secondary poisoning from the baits and
predation of wild dogs and cats in this sensitive environment will
affect many of the species listed above. Disturbance during the breeding
period may also affect the breeding success of most bird species.

21.   There are concerns for the Endangered Tiger Quoll. Quolls will be
attracted to the stench coming from the sheds and will be at risk of
death from the increased heavy B-double semi trailer use in their
environment

22.   Additional concerns for the Tiger Quoll relate to wild dogs. Wild
dogs will be drawn to the chicken sheds, lured by chicken odour,
attracted to dead animals from the bait stations from the surrounding
chicken factory, as well as the sick and dying chickens, and potential
piles of compost not taken away.

23.   There are also concerns with the amount of chemicals required in
the process of intense broiler chicken factory farm production. Such
chemicals will adversely affect the environment through natural elements
such as wind and runoff caused from rain. Residents in the area can be
subjected to wind-blown chemical mist. 

24.   Scientific evidence supports the notion that feeding chickens with
antibiotics on a consistent basis may cause the humans who consume the
meat to lose some of their ability to fight certain strains of bacteria.
A research team led by scientists from The University of Texas Health
Science Center at Houston (UTHealth) published a paper in the Sept. 8
2013 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, showing that
Antibiotic resistance of a superbug known as vancomycin-resistant
enterococci (VRE) is caused by a specific change in its genome.
Bacterial Superbugs which have become resistant to different types of
antibiotics are presenting an increasing challenge to the world of
healthcare; in fact one could go so far as to say that they will be one
of the leading health problems of this century. Antibiotic resistance is
becoming more commonly seen as a problem that cannot be easily treated
with other medicines. The associated problems of the superbug infection
often lead to longer illnesses, extended hospital stays and in some
cases death. If there is a situation where antibiotics are used in
poultry production, clearly in that environment there is going to be a
more rapid spread of resistance.  http://youtu.be/yZ5dAEesEk8
<http://youtu.be/yZ5dAEesEk8> 

 

25.   Industrial agriculture proposals such as this chicken factory farm
application is dependent on copious amounts of water and fossil fuel
electricity. Heavy dependence on fossil fuel consumption increases
climate change. These factors alone have far reaching environmental and
social costs. These social costs include but are not limited to: "These
factory farms produce chicken cheaply because it passes many costs on to
others. Some of the cost is paid by people who can't enjoy being outside
in their yard because of the flies and have to keep their windows shut
because of the stench. Some is paid by kids who can't swim in the local
streams. Some is paid by those who have to buy bottled water because
their drinking water is polluted. Some is paid by people who want to be
able to enjoy a natural environment with all its beauty and rich
biological diversity. Some is paid by neighbours who can no longer sleep
because of the stench and noise.

26.   These costs are, in the terms used by economists, 'externalities'
because the people who pay them are external to the transaction between
the producer and the purchaser... In theory, to eliminate this market
failure, the factory farmer and (Ingham's) should fully compensate
everyone adversely affected by its pollution. Then its chicken at KFC
would no longer be so cheap."

27.   Sustainable agriculture on the other hand, is the production of
food or other plant or animal products using farming techniques that
protect the environment, public health, human communities, and animal
welfare.  Sustainable agriculture enables us to produce healthful food
without compromising future generations' ability to do the same. This is
what we should be moving towards.

28.   This factory proposal is not a local family farming business as
purported in their application, but rather an adjunct to a
multi-national company which has a turnover in excess of AU$2 billion,
and earnings of around AU$210 million per annum. A US private equity
firm, TPG Capital (previously known as Texas Pacific), purchased
Australia’s Ingham’s Enterprises which is estimated to be worth AU$880
million. Being a multi-national company, the majority of the money will
go offshore. 

29.   Whilst outside the direct jurisdiction for Council to consider, it
should be highlighted the amount of influence overseas corporations have
within Australia’s food supply system. Investors, both domestic and
international, have an incontrovertible right to earn profit from their
investments, whilst paying their just expenses and taxes. Council should
be concerned however, that areas designated as a biosphere and heavily
reliant on the tourist dollar, should be kept as such for future
generations, and preferably, efforts should be maintained or enhanced to
protect land use which is consistent with this ideology.  People have
moved to this region for values that Council has promoted; not for
Council to change the game plan for the benefit of a single applicant –
an applicant who is a player within a multi-national plan.

30.   There are concerns for the human appetite for unsustainable farm
agriculture which is a driving force behind virtually every major
category of environmental damage now threatening humanity and the world
as we once knew it. Unsustainable agriculture adversely affects the
environment in many ways such as: deforestation, erosion, fresh water
scarcity, air and water pollution, climate change, biodiversity loss,
toxic use of chemical poisons, destabilization of communities and the
spread of disease….and this makes sustainable agriculture an urgency for
the conservation of life. Think globally by acting locally is the
intelligent option for our future. We urge Council to consider this
aspect in their deliberations.

 

In conclusion, we strongly urge your positive considerations and actions
by not supporting this sort of intense broiler factory farm activity in
our beautiful Noosa Biosphere. 

Dr Mercola, a well known author and medical practitioner and advocate of
health and longevity, recently shared the following information about
factory farms.

Ctrl + Click to follow link.

http://www.mercola.com/infographics/truth-about-factory-farms.htm?e_cid=
20130916Z3_DNL_SECON&utm_source=content&utm_medium=email&utm_content=sec
on&utm_campaign=20130916Z3
<http://www.mercola.com/infographics/truth-about-factory-farms.htm?e_cid
=20130916Z3_DNL_SECON&utm_source=content&utm_medium=email&utm_content=se
con&utm_campaign=20130916Z3> 

      

 

 

Thank you

Jeanette Merrell Ridgewood

PO Box 137 Eumundi Q 4562
 

NO broiler farm Cooroy Facebook page.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/NO-broiler-farm-Cooroy/367193153408565
<https://www.facebook.com/pages/NO-broiler-farm-Cooroy/367193153408565> 

 

   

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