Response to oustanding issues Animal Husbandry MCU12/0184

                                                                    MW A 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