Hearing over dead cows

Mount Duneed case off to VCAT next year

A DATE has been set for the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal to determine the status of a Mount Duneed farm where dozens of dead cows were found last year.

In July, it was announced the Surf Coast Shire would seek clarification on whether the farm would be classed as grazing, with the case to go before VCAT on April 4-6, 2022.

The farm first made headlines in March 2020 after 36 rotting dead cows were found dumped near Thompsons Creek.

At the time, councillor Heather Wellington questioned a planning officer’s decision to allow the property with 450 head of cattle to operate without a planning permit.

She said there was a “genuine question” as to whether the property should be considered an intensive animal production and therefore require a planning permit. Cr Wellington reported she had received concerns about “unreasonable” amenity impact, cattle stocking levels and potential environmental damage to the nearby creek.

Surf Coast Shire environment and development general manager Ransce Salan said the matter was now listed for a Planning and Environment Act declaration hearing.

“The purpose of this hearing is to seek a VCAT ruling if the use of the land in a farming zone is deemed intensive animal production or grazing animal production and if the use of the land requires a planning permit or not,” Mr Salan said.

“The matter has been to VCAT for preliminary case proceedings.”

If VCAT ruled that the land was being used for another purpose, it could fall under a new set of rules and regulations governing its operation.