MCU12/0184 & ERA12/0087 Objection R Ritchie

embankment stability work" (Appendix D). Both proposals impose road works and
maintenance costs on ratepayers.

No mitigation works are proposed for the junction of the site access road and Top Forestry
Rd. Trucks are required to drive forward when entering and exiting the access road,
however drivers would be unable to see approaching outbound vehicles.

The collection of the carcass bins would compromise road safety and obstruct traffic if, as
stated previously, the collection trucks wiII not be entering the site. The location of the
carcass bins relative to the school bus stop is also of concern.


5.0 Impacts
5.1 Road condition and function
5.1.1 Traffic volumes - Top Forestry Rd

The operation's forecasted vehicle numbers would generate the following % volume
increases:
29.5% minimum daily traffic
21.5% maximum daily traffic
8.3% maximum weekly traffic
15% maximum weekly truck traffic.

The survey recorded zero truck movements from 0:00am - 6:00am. A projected 9 heavy
truck trips for this period would occur during bird pick-ups.

It is disingenuous to say that a 25% peak volume increase due to seasonal agricultural
variations is not unusual for unsealed rural roads (MWA p27), when the only seasonal
variation on Top Forestry Rd is related to the applicant's avocado production which is
accounted for already.

5.1.2 Road works and maintenance costs - Top Forestry Rd
The poultry operation would increase the frequency and costs of road maintenance, while
the structural mitigation works would impose additional costs on ratepayers.

5.1.3 Interactions with haul route road users
Introducing heavy vehicle traffic to the haul route roads would increase road safety risks
for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

The interaction of heavy trucks with school buses and rubbish trucks that stop and start
frequently poses considerable safety risks. There are many sections on the route where
rubbish trucks and buses cannot pull off the road when stopping, and overtaking is not
possible.

During a live bird pick-up, there would be significant interaction with the 7-9am school
and commuter traffic (buses and cars) and pedestrians on the haul route, especially at the
Maple 5t/ Crystal 5t roundabout and on Myall 5t. On alternate Monday mornings there
also are 2 rubbish collections.

5.2 Residents' Amenity
MWA (p 27) claims that a peak volume of 26 vehicles per day represents a minor
unreasonable nuisance potential on Top Forestry Rd without considering that 24 of those
26 vehicles are heavy trucks. An ambient road dust assessment was not undertaken.


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