Ridgewood_12-002_PrelimOMP_110913

                                                               MWA Environmental




     The agronomist’s advice also indicates that odours from the litter when
     spread are expected to be negligible. MWA Environmental considers it
     appropriate to implement management practices to minimise potential for
     odour emissions from the spreading of litter to cause nuisance.


     Water Quality

     Litter is to be spread on the terraces containing avocado trees (avoiding
     steep slopes where runoff is not intercepted by terraces) which will act
     to control runoff from the fertilised areas. In accordance with the
     Queensland Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Guidelines:
     Meat Chicken Farms (2012) a minimum vegetated buffer of 50 metres is
     to be maintained between litter spreading areas and waterways,
     including Blackfellow Creek. Runoff from the majority of the avocado
     orchard (38 hectares) will continue to be directed to onsite dams.

     Further detail in relation to management of water quality impacts from
     spreading of litter in the orchard is provided in the Stormwater Treatment
     and Water Quality Management Plan (Callaghan & Toth, Version 3,
     September 2013). The report concludes the use of spent litter as proposed
     can be managed to not adversely impact on local waterways.


     Odour

     Fertiliser application is an integral component of the existing use and advice
     from the proponent is the manures have previously been applied at the site
     without generating any significant odour nuisance.

     The proponent intends to apply litter within 4 to 5 weeks of the clean-out
     from the sheds. Odour emissions from the litter will deplete reasonably
     quickly following application (substantially reduced over several days). This
     operational program will ensure that odour emissions from the spreading of
     litter do not coincide with peak odour emission periods from the next batch
     of birds in the poultry sheds.

     It is recommended that a minimum setback of 50 metres is retained from
     spreading areas to the southern, eastern and northern property
     boundaries to avoid near-field odour influence on adjacent properties.
     Operating in accordance with this buffer recommendation will provide for
     separation distances of more than 300 metres from spreading areas to
     surrounding residences.

     Litter should be spread during the 6am to 6pm period only and when
     prevailing winds are from the northeasterly to southeasterly sector
     ensure that odour emissions are directed towards the state forest and away
     from sensitive receptors.

     Low velocity spreading equipment should be used to minimise release of
     dust (and associated odours) into the atmosphere. During high wind speed
     periods it may be appropriate to dampening applied litter to minimise
     potential fugitive dust (and odour) emissions.



Ridgewood 12-002                       17                       11 September 2013