Saleyards concerns need addressing

Following a community conference in May, Cathy Botta has made a number of recommendations for the EPA to consider as part of its works approvals process.

Conference participants were asked to contribute ideas that could be considered by the EPA to resolve concerns raised by objectors.

The community conference was part of the EPA’s process for considering 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.

In her report, Ms Botta has directed both the EPA and Longwarry Saleyards to address a number of key concerns including management of stockpiled materials, noise, site operation and access and truck access.

The recommendations included:

EPA need to consider a requirement to enclose the stockpiled materials to reduce the risk of odour and dust escaping the site;

Longwarry Saleyards need to consider community suggestions for shifting the noise wall back further into the site as well as landscaping suggestions;

Longwarry Saleyards need to consider community suggestions for acceptable hours of operating and access restrictions. These ideas could be considered with council as part of the planning permit application;

Longwarry Saleyards need to consider setting up an ongoing Community Reference Group (CRG) for the site. The CRG could explore operational issues and potential mitigation measures.

Ms Botta directed the EPA to consider the design of the proposed water management system to ensure its capability for extreme rainfall events.

She said the EPA also needed to consider modelling results for noise and odour to ensure the proposal can meet acceptable levels for the homes closest to this site.

The key issues, concerns and questions raised by participants at the conference related to water management on site and the potential risk of local flooding; odour, noise and dust impacts; management of stockpiled materials; and potential human health risks.

Supporters of the proposal said a saleyards was essential infrastructure for the shire and livestock enterprises.

Ms Botta said a number of issues were raised that are not within the scope of an EPA works approval application process such zoning and planning issues, traffic noise, the possibility of another saleyard site being developed, truck and road management issues, and concerns about impacts on the amenity value of the area or property values.

The EPA received 85 individual submissions and one petition during its public feedback period on the works approval.