MCU12/0184 Objection - Richard Barnes

Subject: OBJECTION TO MCU 12/0104 – BROILER FARM WEST COOROY
From: Dick Barnes
Date: 2014-08-24T15:04:02+00:00
To: Mailbox Council Mail

Dear Council

I am writing to object strongly to the application for the proposed
Broiler Farm at Top Forestry Road Cooroy.

My wife and I live relatively close to the proposal and travel the
nearby roads every day.

We run a sustainable beef operation covering near 1000 acres and 400
breeders. We have made every effort to blend this into the local largely
“lifestyle” location and to maximise conservation projects alongside the
commercial venture.

This is in stark contrast to the proposed broiler farm. The potential
traffic disturbance, noise, dust, odour, and water contamination of such
operations is well documented around Australia. This is why they are
ideally located on flat land, near to major road routes, and well away
from residential housing and areas of environmental value. This compares
with the proposal which is high on a ridge, close to many lifestyle
properties, in an area of great natural beauty, and down dangerous
winding country roads.

During the life of the application, fundamental assumptions have changed
dramatically including, for example, dropping the use of the chicken
manure to fertilise the adjacent avocado trees. There are clearly major
errors in the latest modelling well documented in a recent report to
Council. In particular, as a local farmer, I can confirm that climate
assumptions from Nambour, Tewantin, or Gympie do not represent our local
situation. All this leaves no doubt in my mind that there are many risks
not adequately covered in the submission.

We have spent a lot of effort and expense protecting our waterways to
improve water quality and habitat. These are home to many endangered
species. The proposed broiler farm is up stream of us in a high rainfall
area and significantly adds to the pollution risks.

Our cattle will be exposed to all the dangers already identified for the
human population (e.g. dust in the water) and it is generally agreed
that pest animals such as wild dogs will be drawn to a broiler farm and
will add to an already significant problem.

Finally, the extensive infrastructure costs involved for this site and
the distance from the processing plant mean that there are significant
financial risks that could result in difficulties to keep up the high
standards that will be required. Furthermore, there will be a very small
financial benefit to the locality as most of the value chain is in the
hands of the Brisbane based processor who provides most of the labour
and transport.

In summary, this proposal brings no real benefit to Cooroy and Noosa
Shire. It carries very large risks and great disturbance. I strongly
urge you to reject the application.

Yours Sincerely

Richard Barnes

Bellbird Homestead

1229 Cooroy Belli Creek Road

Ridgewood, QLD 4563