Mixed views voiced about Longwarry saleyards plans
Supportive farmers and concerned residents came together last week during an Environment Protection Authority information session for the proposed Longwarry saleyards development.
While farmers praised the development as a “must” for the shire, community members and neighbours to the Thornell Rd development site wanted answers to a list of questions.
The information session, organised by the EPA as part of its works approval process, also included Longwarry Saleyards Pty Ltd directors and planning consultant as well as Baw Baw Shire planning representatives.
Planning details for the $13 million regional saleyards development have been lodged with Baw Baw Shire.
As part of the planning process, an EPA works approval is required for industrial and waste management activities.
In assessing the works approval application, the EPA will consider issues including the environmental management of air quality, surface and ground water, noise, odour and biosecurity.
Livestock agent Neil Darby, who is part of the Longwarry Saleyards consortium, said farmers at the meeting indicated strong support for the development.
Directors Tom Gibson of Alex Scott and Staff and Jarrod Bennetts of Everitt, Seeley and Bennetts were at the session.
Mr Gibson said the focus of the development was achieving results for farmers.
“Our mandate is to keep the agents’ fees down and the profit to farmers up,” he said.
Mr Gibson said the Longwarry development would provide a secure saleyards facility for the next 30 to 40 years.
“We chose Longwarry because the area has been identified as a future employment area. It is important for the region and a catalyst for future growth,” he said.
Mr Gibson and Mr Bennetts said they were keen to listen to the community’s concerns and address their issues.
“We want the community behind us,” Mr Gibson said.
Immediate neighbour to the property Melissa McCoy said many community members were concerned their questions were left unanswered by directors and EPA staff.
“A lot of people were sitting on the fence but after asking basic questions, they have said no way.
“If they (directors) are so vague about it now, how are they going to run it.
“They are playing with families, playing with lives and playing with the Longwarry community. But at the end of each day they will go home.
“They are using the farmers to secure their own position because of the uncertainty in their industry,” she said.
Ms McCoy said a lot of the concerns related to drainage and water issues. “I felt a lot of people walked away with a lot of questions and few answers.”
Bramstedt Livestock Transport owner Trevor Bramstedt said he fully supported the Longwarry development.
He said he had faced a logistical nightmare since the closure of Warragul and the area was losing business because of it.
“We are carting cattle out of the area to be sold instead of it being sold here,” he said.
Drouin businessman and farmer Allan Evison said the development was a must for the shire.
“If a saleyards is built here we get the buyers here which means more competition and better prices,” he said.
Mr Evison said the employment associated with the development also was good for the area.
Longwarry Saleyards Pty Ltd has purchased a 23-hectare property with frontage to Thornell and Sand Rds.
The application is for a fully roofed saleyard with holding pens, sale pens, drafting and loading/unloading facilities.
The plan also includes an office building with amenities and a café; parking for trucks and cars; a three-bay truck wash; a maintenance and truck driver amenity shed; a surface water wetland; rainwater tanks; treatment ponds to treat wastewater; landscaping, and a floodlit sign.
The saleyards will accommodate up to 132,000 cattle per annum including 120,000 cattle and 12,000 bobby calves.