EPA process awaits saleyards report
by Yvette Brand
The Environment Protection Authority’s works approvals process for the proposed Longwarry saleyards development will now wait for an independent consultant’s report.
Following the EPA’s first ever online community conference on May 7, the EPA said it will await a report by independent consultant Cathy Botta before making decisions on the works approval permit.
The EPA has received a works approval application from Longwarry Saleyards Pty Ltd, seeking approval to develop a saleyards on land in Thornell Rd.
The works approval process is separate to Baw Baw Shire’s planning permit application process. Council has currently deferred making a decision on the planning permit pending the outcome of the EPA process.
The EPA’s Stephen Adamthwaite explained to the conference that as a referral authority to council, the EPA did not reject the development.
“We indicated we didn’t have enough information.
“We consider our main role is in the works approval process,” he said.
It is expected the saleyards will host about 146 sales each year, with an annual throughput of 120,000 cattle and 12,000 bobby calves.
The EPA received 85 individual submissions and one petition during its public feedback period on the works approval.
Ms Botta led the community conference which addressed a number of questions from community members during the online forum.
She said the aim of the conference was for the EPA and saleyards developer to gain a better understanding of the community’s views, concerns and issues.
She said it was a process to identify potential options to resolving issues and reducing the impact on community members if the works approval was issued.
Ms Botta will prepare an independent report that the EPA will consider as part of its assessment of the works approval application.
The conference was told there was no deadline for the report because the EPA was currently waiting further information from the proponents.
More than 120 were raised during the community submissions process.
Ms Botta outlined a summary of the “key issues” which included:
Air emissions – odour, noise and dust; water – surface, groundwater and wastewater; human health; and, biodiversity and biosecurity.
Other issues raised through submissions included the design and operation of the saleyards, Aboriginal and cultural heritage impacts, truck, traffic and road impacts, loss in property values and visual amenity.
Neerim East cattle farmer Simon Parsons addressed the community conference, clarifying that he had no conflict of interest in the application.
Mr Parsons said the proponents had presented a comprehensive submission that addressed the key issues.
He said with highly productive agricultural land, agricultural infrastructure and investment, the industry was a major income indicator in the shire.
He said development and ongoing operation of the saleyards will employ many people.
“If a viable saleyards facility is acknowledged as essential infrastructure then it must have a suitable site.
“I am confident the EPA will be able to address the application outlined by the proponents,” he said.
Pam Hall spoke on behalf of community members opposed to the application.
She said the development would detrimentally impact the wider area.
Ms Hall said the required buffer zone was 500 metres yet there were 11 homes inside that 500 metre buffer from the saleyards.
She raised concerns about the odour modelling and comparisons to Mortlake saleyards.
“The odour will prevent us from enjoying our outdoor areas – one of the many reason we enjoy living in our rural environment,” she said.
Ms Hall said any risk of infection to humans or other animals was a risk that was unacceptable.
Drainage also has emerged a major concern for objectors. Ms Hall said the Thornell Rd property was the “wrong site to build up and on.”
“There is not enough that can be done to make this proposal acceptable,” Ms Hall said.