MCU12/0184 & ERA12/0087 Objection R Ritchie

 Introduction
 Ridgewood is a quiet rural area, with scenic valleys, steep ridges and winding roads. The
 Applicant proposes to construct eight large chicken sheds along the ridges on his
 property, which is located in a largely rural residential district. The topography of the
 surrounding valleys and hillsides will assist the transmission of the noise, odour and dust
 from the chicken sheds to the neighbouring properties.

 The rural road leading to the property is unsealed, winding and narrow, and cannot be
 improved to a standard that would allow school buses, garbage trucks, residents and
 cyclist to safely share the road with 19-metre B-double trucks and semi-trailers.

 The MWA Noise and Air Quality Impact Assessment concludes that the potential impacts
 of noise, odour and dust can be minimised through best-practice emissions management
 and reasonable and relevant conditions. The L&R Traffic Engineering Report (31.07.2014)
 concludes that the low vehicle intensity of the poultry operations would have limited
 impacts.

 However, these conclusions are questionable because of the reports' many omissions and
 inaccuracies as outlined in this submission. The development proposal has the potential to
 exceed noise, odour and dust regulatory criteria, plus the site access and road safety and
 maintenance issues are insurmountable. It will not be possible to apply reasonable and
 relevant conditions to minimise these impacts.

 Further, there is the strong possibility that financial, practical and environmental
 constraints will preclude the implementation of recommended measures to minimise
 harm and nuisance.




  This submission covers the following topics:
  1. Noise, Odour and Dust Assessments .
. 2. Traffic Issues




                                                                                               2