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MCU14/0028 PM Submission Petition with covering letter Object Mark Counter and Phillip Briggs
Noosa Shire Council
PO Box 141,
TEWANTIN QLD 4565
Mr M. Counter and Mr P. Briggs
692 Cooroy Belli Creek Rd
Cooroy 4563 Development Counter
Ph 0413696619
- 3 JUL 2014 "'ii,
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To Whom It May Concern: ,'. +,I:
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Re: Chook Tractor Proposal- MCU14/0028
We write to request that the Noosa Shire Council reject Development Application
MCU14/0028 for a material change of use to 317 Lawnville Road Black Mountain from
Animal Husbandry Type 1 - Traditional to Animal Husbandry Type 2 -Intensive. My
partner and I live directly on the boundary of this property and expect it to impact on us in
several ways.
The area immediately surrounding the property at 317 Lawnville Road has, over the
years, become surrounded by small acreage "lifestyle" properties, including ours. The
size and location of these allotments, (the most recent being the Noosa Hills Estate),
have been approved and sanctioned by previous Noosa councils.
Whilst the area is officially zoned Rural, previous Councils have allowed this precinct to
grow into a Rural Residential pocket, without the associated zoning. Local residents
have subsequently paid premium prices to enjoy the peace and tranquillity on offer here.
Approving the creation of an intensive chook farm right in the middle of these properties,
in our view, would be to dishonour the understood position of earlier Councils, and be a
grave injustice to all those who invested here on that basis.
We have been advised by a trusted local Real Estate Agent that a decision by the
Council to upgrade the adjoining land from "traditional use" to "intensive chook farming"
would likely alter the future marketability of our property. Agents would have to disclose
that we now border land approved for "intensive farming", driving prospective buyers off
to consider less risky options.
We could therefore predict that the future saleability of similarly adjoining properties will
be equally affected, starting a cyclical reduction in the marketability and value of the
entire area. It seems therefore vastly unfair that Council would consider approving this
application when ONLY the applicants will benefit, and do so at the expense of all other
neighbours, most of whom were here first.
Over and above the financial considerations, we also hold serious concerns about the
nature of the operation of the "tractors", and in particular that the "generalised" noise set
back distances required by the Noosa Council will not be adequate.
Currently the "auditorium" like shape of this valley means that sound regularly echoes
across the valley, and can be worsened by prevailing winds. We regularly hear domestic
sounds like dogs, property work etc from the residence at 317 Lawnville Rd (almost 1 km
across the valley away) domestic fowl noises from 642 Belli Creek Rd, (700 mtrs away),
children playing at 655 Cooroy Belli Creek Rd (500 mtrs away), chooks cackling and pigs
grunting at 673 Cooroy Belli Creek Rd (250 mtrs away), etc.
Whilst none of these noises concern us as they are transient, infrequent, and part of a
rural landscape, they highlight how easily noise travels in such a quiet neighbourhood.
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Full text of the other 6 pages
Page 2
The addition of 800 - 900 cackling chooks to the valley (with half as little as 150 mtrs
away) plus all the associated servicing, is of serious concern. Given what would seem to
be a lack of precedent for an undertaking of this nature in this Shire we ask how the
Council can be certain that it has these distances right, and it is not condemning us, and
all our neighbours to a new level of noise pollution commencing soon after dawn 365
days a year.
We understand the difficulties faced by Council's with the not in my backyard logic
frequently used by many people to object to applications such as this, and support the
Council's position on trying to promote innovative agricultural pursuits within the Shire,
however believe this philosophy should only drive future planning, and not be used to
justify rewriting previous Council decisions.
The Vision Statement goes on to say that the chook tractor proposal is green, eco-
friendly, focused on rejuvenating the pastures to support cattle etc, however it seems to
us that there are also discrepancies in this story.
The first is highlighted at the bottom of page 6 where It explains that when Henbury Park
has more than 1000 chooks it will need to .... The owners of Henbury Park have openly
admitted to neighbours that their intention is to have more than 1000 chooks in the
future, with numbers of 3000 and 5000 mentioned. This stated intent makes it clear that
their prime purpose is to move into more profitable chook farming, not to "create a
diversified, balanced farm ecosystem" as their submission promises.
The second is the nature of the proposal itself. Historical clearing of trees at 317
Lawnville Rd has left almost exclusively grass paddocks. (see aerial shot in submission).
Most remaining trees have, or are to be, electrically fenced off around watercourses. The
proposed hilltop "free range" areas for chooks are therefore almost completely devoid of
shade trees and/or cover from flying predators. This leaves the tractors themselves as
the only source of protection. It seems now that only 2 x 3m x 6m caravans are proposed
to house the laying birds, meaning that approximately 400 - 450 birds will have to
squeeze in under the small footprint of their "chook tractor" to avoid the hot sun and
flying predators during the day. We submit that whilst the proposal describes these birds
as "free range", their reality will be anything but, and their accommodations will be stifling
and cruel during hot summer months and heatwaves
The third is the prospect of the uncontained chook droppings from so many chooks being
washed into 6 Mile Creek during heavy rains leading to algal blooms and degradation of
amphibious habitats further downstream. A situation that would be worsened should
future expansion be allowed to go ahead.
Finally, our property and neighbours have already experienced problems with wild dogs.
Should the proposal go ahead, there is a real risk that additional wild dogs, chicken
hawks and eagles will be attracted to the area. Many locals, including us, have domestic
animals including chooks, dogs, ducks, peacocks etc, all of which will be at greater risk
of predation should this proposal be allowed to proceed.
sons we ask that the Council reject this application.
Mark Counter
CC: Mayor Noel Playford,
k
Clr Sandy Boulton
Clr Bob Abbot
Clr Tony Wellington
Clr Frank Wilkie
Page 3
PETITION TO NOOSA COUNCIL -
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Page 4
Petition to the Noosa Shire Council
Re: Chook Tractor Proposal
We the undersigned request that the Noosa Shire Council reject Development
Application MCU14/0028 for a material change of use to 317 Lawnville Road
Black Mountain from Animal Husbandry Type 1 - Traditional to Animal
Husbandry Type 2 - Intensive on the following grounds:
1. Devaluation of surrounding land values: The $ purchase prices of properties
neighbouring 317 Lawnville Rd have factored in the tranquillity offered by the current rural
nature of this valley. Local owners are therefore concerned that approval of this application by
the Noosa Shire Council to introduce an intensive chook farm to the immediate vicinity will
result in a devaluation of our properties and make them harder to sell in the future. Whilst the
Henbury Trust state that they have met the minimum set backs required by Council for noise,
smell etc and met other minimum conditions, there is no local precedent to know whether these
will be sufficient to offset resulting noise and smell. It;s clear that the cackling of an additional
800- 900 laying chooks, and the constant activity to service the chook tractors and meat hens
at all hours of the day will disturb the peace and quiet that currently exists and result in a
reduced quality of life for neighbours.
2. Local precedent: West Cooroy residents are already engaged in a battle to prevent a
broiler farm being introduced to the area. Approval of the Henbury Trust application will create
a precedent for 'other farmers/developers in the surrounding area to seek approval for more
intensive land uses in the valley (and indirectly strengthen the broiler farm proposal).
3. Vermin: The presence of so many extra chooks in the valley may attract greater numbers of
wild dogs and foxes. If electric fencing and night-time lockdowns make the chooks difficult to
access, then domestic pets, livestock and chooks of neighbours will be at greater risk.
Additional vermin may also be attracted if the composting of dead chooks is allowed.
4. Habitat: The potential for waste from 1000chooks to enter the headwaters of 6 Mile Creek
during heavy rains raises concerns for potential algal blooms further downstream and detriment
to the existing habitat of local platypi, frogs and other aquatic animals.
Signed
Name Address Date
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Page 5
Petition to the Noosa Shire Council
Re: Chook Tractor Proposal
We the undersigned request that the Noosa Shire Council reject Development
Application MCU14/0028 for a material change of use to 317 Lawnville Road
Black Mountain from Animal Husbandry Type 1 - Traditional to Animal
Husbandry Type 2 - Intensive on the following grounds:
1. Devaluationof surrounding land values: The $ purchase prices of properties
neighbouring 317 Lawnville Rd have factored in the tranquillity offered by the current rural
nature of this valley. Local owners are therefore concerned that approval of this application by
the Neosa Shire Council to introduce an intensive chook farm to the immediate vicinity will
result in a devaluation of our properties and make them harder to sell in the future. Whilst the
Henbury Trust state that they have met the minimum set backs required by Council for noise,
smell etc and met other minimum conditions, there is no local precedent to know whether these
will be sufficient to offset resulting noise and smell. It is clear that the cackling of an additional
800 - 900 laying chooks, and the constant activity to service the chock tractors and meat hens
at all hours of the day will disturb the peace and quiet that currently exists and result in a
reduced quality of life for neighbours.
2. Local precedent: West Cooroy residents are already engaged in a battle to prevent a
broiler farm being introduced to the area. Approval of the Henbury Trust application will create
a precedent for other farmers/developers in the surrounding area to seek approval for more
intensive land uses in the valley (and indirectly strengthen the broiler farm proposal).
3. Vermin: The presence of so many extra chooks in the valley may attract greater numbers of
wild dogs and foxes. If electric fencing and night-time lockdowns make the chooks difficult to
access, then domestic pets, livestock and chooks of neighbours will be at greater risk.
Additional vermin may also be attracted if the composting of dead chooks is allowed.
4. Habitat: The potential for waste from 1000 chooks to enter the headwaters of 6 Mile Creek
during heavy rains raises concerns for potential algal blooms further downstream and detriment
to the existing habitat of local platy pi, frogs and other aquatic animals.
Signed
Name Address Signature Date
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Page 6
Petition to the Noosa Shire Council
Re: Chook Tractor Proposal
We the undersigned request that the Noosa Shire Council reject Development
Application MCU14/0028 for a material change of use to 317 Lawnville Road
Black Mountain from Animal Husbandry Type 1 - Traditional to Animal
Husbandry Type 2 - Intensive on the following grounds:
1. Devaluationof surrounding land values: The $ purchase prices of properties
neighbouring 317 Lawnville Rd have factored in the tranquillity offered by the current rural
nature of this valley. Local owners are therefore concerned that approval of this application by
the Noosa Shire Council to introduce an intensive chook farm to the immediate vicinity will
result in a devaluation of our properties and make them harder to sell in the future. Whilst the
Henbury Trust state that they have met the minimum set backs required by Council for noise,
smell etc and met other minimum conditions, there is no local precedent to know whether these
will be sufficient to offset resulting noise and smell. It Is clear that the cackling of an additional
800 - 900 laying chooks, and the constant activity to service the chook tractors and meat hens
at all hours of the day will disturb the peace and quiet that currently exists and result in a
reduced quality of life for neighbours.
2. Local precedent: West Cooroy residents are already engaged in a battle to prevent a
broiler farm being introduced to the area. Approval of the Henbury Trust application will create
a precedent for other farmers/developers in the surrounding area to seek approval for more
intensive land uses in the valley (and indirectly strengthen the broiler farm proposal).
3. Vermin: The presence of so many extra chooks in the valley may attract greater numbers of
wild dogs and foxes. If electric fencing and night.time lockdowns make the chooks difficult to
access, then domestic pets, livestock and chooks of neighbours will be at greater risk.
Additional vermin may also be attracted if the composting of dead chooks is allowed.
4. Habitat: The potential for waste from 1000 chooks to enter the headwaters of 6 Mile Creek
during heavy rains raises concerns for potential algal blooms further downstream and detriment
to the existing habitat of local platypi, frogs and other aquatic animals.
Address rr-o ( Signature Date
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Page 7
. ,
Petition to the Noosa Shire Council
Re: Chook Tractor Proposal
We the undersigned request that the Noosa Shire Council reject Development
Application MCU14/0028 for a material change of use to 317 Lawnville Road
Black Mountain from Animal Husbandry Type 1 - Traditional to Animal
Husbandry Type 2 - Intensive on the following grounds:
1. Devaluation of surrounding land values: The $ purchase prices of properties
neighbouring 317 Lawnville Rd have factored in the tranquillity offered by the current rural
nature of this valley. Local owners are therefore concerned that approval of this application by
the Noosa Shire Council to introduce an intensive chook farm to the immediate vicinity will
result in a devaluation of our properties and make them harder to sell in the future. Whilst the
Henbury Trust state that they have met the minimum set backs required by Council for noise,
smell etc and met other minimum conditions, there is no local precedent to know whether these
will be sufficient to offset resulting noise and smell. It is clear that the cackling of an additional
800- 900laying chooks, and the constant activity to service the chook tractors and meat hens
at all hours of the day will disturb the peace and quiet that currently exists and result in a
reduced quality of life for neighbours.
2. Local precedent: West Cooroy residents are already engaged in a battle to prevent a
broiler farm being introduced to the area. Approval of the Henbury Trust application will create
a precedent for other farmersldevelopers in the surrounding area to seek approval for more
intensive land uses in the valley (and indirectly strengthen the broiler farm proposal).
3. Vermin: The presence of so many extra chocks in the valley may attract greater numbers of
wild dogs and foxes. If electric fencing and night-time lockdowns make the chooks difficult to
access, then domestic pets, livestock and chocks of neighbours will be at greater risk.
Additional vermin may also be attracted if the composting of dead chooks is allowed.
4. Habitat: The potential for waste from 1000chooks to enter the headwaters of 6 Mile Creek
during heavy rains raises concerns for potential algal blooms further downstream and detriment
to the existing habitat of local platypi, frogs and other aquatic animals.
Signed
Name Address Signature Date
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