MCU12/0184 - Submission - Michela D'Addario & Andrej Kadacik

Subject: SUBMISSION re proposed POULTRY FARM at 136 Top Forestry Rd, Ridgewood MCU 12/0104
From: Michela F. D'Addario
Date: 2014-08-28T11:19:29+00:00
To: Mailbox Council Mail

ATTENTION: Noosa Council



Notice of Submission


Application Details
MCU 12/0104 
Poultry Farm
136 Top Forestry Rd, Ridgewood, QLD 4563


Submitter:
Michela D'Addario
Andrej Kadacik
15 Jorgensen Rd, Ridgewood QLD 4563


Submission:


Pursuant to the Sustainable Planning Act 2009, we the undersigned, make
the following submission:


We object to the proposed development at 136 Forestry Road, Ridgewood.
Our objection relates to information provided by the applicant and the
submitters, and our own research and experience.


We believe this poultry factory will cause irreversible environmental,
economic and social harm to our Ridgewood Community. The latest
‘revised’ proposal seems to suggest that breaking the development down
into stages is going to lessen the damage. Staging the damage will still
see very real damage ultimately done. Damage that will be irreversible
and felt for a long time to come. 


1. The natural beauty and sustainability of Ridgewood will be
irreversibly damaged.
Ridgewood is primarily a community of like minded people wishing to
honour the principles of sustainability and wildlife protection and
support. Most of us have Land for Wildlife Accreditation and are
passionate about protecting and enhancing the beauty and wellbeing of
the area. It is why many of us live in Ridgewood. 


Historically much has been done by residents to improve and care for the
area over the past twenty years and this commitment continues with more
recent residents also. 


Within this culture and practice of sustainability, there are also
residents who conduct healing retreats and have businesses offering
healing and ‘eco friendly’ services on their properties. The local
wildlife and beauty of the river and surrounds is core to the integrity,
delivery and success of these businesses. These businesses give others
the opportunity to enjoy, and benefit from, the beauty of Ridgewood.


The natural beauty of Ridgewood deserves to continue to be enjoyed,
protected and supported by its residents and the broader community, not
disregarded and damaged. Most residents of Ridgewood live in the area
for the reasons that are now seriously under threat from this
development.


The applicant also has no intention of residing at the proposed
development site, again making his proposed poultry factory a
development that is in direct conflict with sustainable farming
practices. 


2. The wellbeing of residents is under threat by this proposed
development. The health risks are real.


Many of the submissions have highlighted important concerns we share
regarding the environmental and economic consequences of the applicant’s
proposal. We wish to highlight also the very real negative social and
emotional consequences of such a proposal.


The number one issue affecting many people’s health in the general
community is chronic stress. Research shows stress is the greatest
contributor to serious health issues. The Traveston Dam tragedy
highlighted the emotional and physical harm done to people and the very
real effects of distress and stress relating to the threat of losing a
place of natural beauty that is known as home.


The sense of safety, freedom and connection to our local countryside is
an integral part of our rural community lifestyle. It contributes to our
wellbeing. It contributes to our sense of social connection and
interaction with our environment and neighbours. 


With the applicant’s proposal, our narrow little country roads would see
semi trailers hurtling along them, turning tight corners, along with an
expected increase in traffic to and from the applicant’s property of
additional poultry farm staff and associated services. 


It puts us all at greater risk and creates danger, fear, stress and
restriction, where there has been safety, freedom and tranquility.

This proposed poultry factory has already seen many residents suffering
stress related health issues because of the fears and concerns of this
proposed development. If the reality of these concerns is experienced as
a result of the development going ahead we will most certainly see an
even further decline in the health of local residents.


Imagine choosing to live in a quiet area of Cooroy, on a small rural
road, to then be subjected to living with 4-5 semi-trailers rattling by
your place a day or with the daily stench that a Poultry Farm such as
this creates? Imagine the emotional and physical impact of living in a
once beautiful, peaceful and unique area made unsustainable, stressful
and unhealthy, with odour, noise, environmental and visual pollution?


A poultry farm operation in NSW, similar in size to that proposed by the
applicant, had stench that travelled on the breeze for kilometres.
Locals referred to the odour as “the smell of death” because it was so
bad. The wind cannot be controlled. The wind-borne odour will come over
the ridges and settle in our nearby valleys where many of us reside. 


We will also see dust levels that will affect many residents. There are
a number residents who already suffer from asthma and other chronic
breathing issues and whose health conditions will be made worse because
of this proposed development.

3. Already vulnerable hinterland residents will be economically hurt by
this proposed development.
There has been little consideration regarding how such a proposal will
impact on surrounding homes and residential businesses in the area and
it is a very real issue. The hinterland is already hurting economically.
The value of properties in Ridgewood is reflected significantly in the
sustainable, healthy and attractive natural qualities of the area. Real
estate agents have confirmed that losing these qualities, along with the
establishment of a such a large scale poultry development will see the
surrounding properties and properties in the Ridgewood area dropping
significantly in value. The economic impact on residents must not be
ignored. We need developments that support the local community not harm
it.


In conclusion
The large scale farming enterprise proposed by the applicant is in
direct conflict with the sustainable principles and practices of the
area and council planning, and stands to do significant damage to our
local environment and harm the physical, emotional and economic
wellbeing of residents in the area. The applicant’s proposal does not
offer a win-win outcome for the residents of Ridgewood and the broader
community. It is clearly a win for one resident and a huge lose for
everyone else and the environment of the area. This kind of outcome is
therefore unsustainable and not in keeping with the South East
Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031.

We are greatly concerned with a proposal that obviously has far reaching
ramifications for not only Ridgewood residents but the broader Cooroy
Community. We ask that, given the myriad of flaws of this proposed
development that, Council in it’s wisdom consider first and foremost the
needs of it’s community and reject the proposed development in it’s
entirety. 


Michela D’Addario and Andrej Kadacik
Ridgewood Residents