MCU14/0028 PM Submission Petition with covering letter Object Mark Counter and Phillip Briggs

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