MCU14/0028 - PM Submission Object Audrey & Keith Johnson

                       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. ft 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 currenlly 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.


                           Signed
                           Name                            Address                                                 Date




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Document Set ID: 19727292
Version: 1, Version Date: 01/07/2014