Appeal lodged in mill battle

CLIFTON man Russell May has taken Toowoomba Regional Council to the Planning and Environment Court over its approval of a development application for the Clifton Mill.

The mill, currently owned by Ridley Agriproducts, was operating on the Mary St site for decades before TRC officers discovered in late 2018 it was operating without proper approvals.

On June 3, TRC gave notice it had approved the development application, following an application from Ridley Agriproducts for a negotiated decision notice.

According documents filed with the P&E Court, Mr May is appealing against the approval on a number of grounds.

The first is that the proposed development is an inappropriate use in the Low Impact Industry Zone as it “is a large-scale, noxious and offensive industry not compatible with the nature and character of development intended or the community’s reasonable expectations for land included in the (zone)”.

He is also claiming the mill “will, if approved, significantly and negatively impact on the amenity and character of the locality, and compromise the long term use of land for low industrial purposes”, among other objections.

Mr May is also appealing on the grounds of amenity – claiming the mill will result in unacceptable impacts on existing residential and low impact industrial uses via noise, dust, and odour emissions, as well as the mill’s visual impact and hours of operation.

Traffic impacts and the lack of demonstration of community or economic need are also reasons he is appealing the approval.

The council is yet to respond to the claim in the P&E court.

matthew.newton@thechronicle.com.au