MCU12/0184 - Submission - Jeanette Merrell

Subject: MCU12/0184  Development Application
From: Jeanette Merrell
Date: 2014-08-28T04:28:49+00:00
To: Mailbox Council Mail

Comments on the revised development application of: MCU12/0184 

 

 

As a resident of Ridgewood, I am VERY concerned about many aspects of
the broiler farm application that will directly affect this area.

 

Besides the obvious inhumane and environmental aspects of such intense
broiler farm sheds, and based on scientific data and information I have
read and heard, the applicant’s proposal will potentially have far
reaching and detrimental consequences to the health and well being of
residents and visitors to the Noosa Hinterland.

 

Odour: Due to the intensity of the process of broiler production, it is
commonly known that it is an ‘inherently odour producing activity’.
Scientific studies show that this odour stench is actually a toxic
concoction of gaseous chemicals drifting in the air. The concentration,
duration, frequency, intensity and tolerance of this stench, are factors
not considered by this proposal. Depending on direction of wind drift
this toxic stench filled emissions of pollution can spread many
kilometres and then sit in pockets for days, making living unbearable.

This outdoor air pollution creates a very serious environmental health
risk that the World Health Organization has linked to both chronic and
acute health conditions, including stroke, heart disease, lung cancer,
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and respiratory
infections. Source: Dr Mercola.

 

Noise: This is a quiet rural area and is a significant part of the Noosa
Biosphere. Intensive broiler factory production is an excessively noisy
operation. Anyone living on-route, nearby or neighbours would be
traumatized by all the unnatural loud noises the process produces.

Noise emitted by exhaust fans, feeders, poultry loading equipment, feed
delivery, removal of shed litter, fork lifts, farm equipment, excessive
noise from inside the sheds from thousands of distressed chickens, in
combination with unattended alarms going off due to potential poor farm
management. Thousands of semi trailers driving along local roads,
braking/accelerating, delivering, reversing, and removing chickens from
the factory farm sheds. Also the hundreds of dogs barking at the
commotion from the sheds site through Cooroy and beyond. The noise would
definitely not be limited to the confines of the property.

 

Dust: The excessive dust from vehicle activity will affect domestic
rainwater collection and could trigger lung and respiratory conditions
of some residents. 

 

Traffic: The large volume of heavy vehicles (B-double semi trailers and
large trucks), needed to service intense broiler farm sheds will
inevitably increase the risk of road accidents and potential fatalities.
The large volumes of heavy vehicle transport on our narrow winding roads
through Cooroy, along Belli Creek Road and turning into Old Ceylon Road
and then into Top Forestry Road, would make this area VERY dangerous.
School children, cyclists (recreational and professional), bikers, cars,
school buses, pedestrians, horse trainers, koalas crossing and other
wildlife crossing between Land for Wildlife properties… … are encouraged
to use these local roads and all mentioned would be put at risk because
of the benefit of a single applicant. It is not uncommon for these sort
of heavy vehicles to roll over, and with their slower brake capacity,
this would create more dangerous havoc on these roads that were not
built for such busy heavy vehicle use. These roads would therefore
require constant road maintenance.

It is important to note here that the Eumundi-Kenilworth Road was once a
meandering scenic road that is now monopolised by gravel trucks. Do we
want this sort of heavy vehicle usage in Cooroy, which is the heart of
the Noosa Biosphere? 

 

!cid_91A4ED99D522440F9AADA358C381BE17@officeworksHP

 

In conclusion, this type of intense broiler shed factory farm activity
in our beautiful Noosa Biosphere, should be refused.

 

Jeanette Merrell

Old Ceylon Road Ridgewood. 

POB 137 Eumundi Q 4562

28/08/2014