GOATS GET THE BOOT
Neighbours’ planning tribunal win
GRASSROOTS campaigners are celebrating after winning a legal bid to block the development of a massive goat farm in Geelong’s north.
A small group of neighbours, led by Gerald Knol, secured the victory when the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) ruled in their favour this week.
The tribunal’s decision overturns a works approval from the Environment Protection Authority and a planning permit from the City of Greater Geelong.
Key factors were concerns about the management of Q fever risk, wastewater and the size of the land to host the proposed Moorabool facility.
“We are unable to approve this proposal in its current form and intensity,” a threemember VCAT panel said.
“However, our decision to refuse both applications should not be taken to mean that this site is completely unsuitable for use as a goat dairy.
“It may be that our key concerns are matters of detail able to be addressed so that this site can be used for this purpose, albeit in a modified lesser form and intensity.”
Mr Knol said the legal process had taken a “huge financial and emotional toll” on the group of residents but they felt vindicated by the VCAT finding.
“From the very beginning, we have made our position clear that the proposal was not appropriate for the location and size of the property,” he said.
“We understand there is a place for such industries, but the property must be appropriate in both size of land area and location.”
Proponent Nuchev planned to host 14,000 goats at a large facility in Moorabool and create a supporting 4500-goat farm at Lara, which combined would create about 400 jobs.
Chief executive Ben Dingle was hoping to build the farm by the end of this year and be milking on site in 2019.
The company labelled the ruling as “disappointing”.
“We will review the decision with our lawyers and decide next steps in due course,” Nuchev told the Geelong Advertiser.
“This decision will impact on the greater Geelong area by stifling growth in innovation, job creation and the local economy.
Geelong council approved the proposal in July 2016, despite opponents lodging 464 objections and a petition with almost 3000 signatures.