Disgust at compost facility

FARMERS living near a massive poultry farm’s composting facility say the odour has forced them to live like they are in “hotel quarantine” as Toowoomba council voted to approve expansions to the operation.

Rural landholders Brenton Hall and Peter Hood spoke against the proposed expansion of the poultry operation southeast of Pittsworth by Alpair Pty Ltd, which is commercially known as McLean Farms, at a special meeting of the Toowoomba Regional Council on Wednesday afternoon.

Despite their concerns, the council voted to approve the expansion of about 40,000 birds.

The application in question did not involve the composting facility, which fell under a different approval that was handled by the State Government.

Both the poultry farm and the manure site have been in the area for many years.

But Mr Hall, who lives more than 15km away, said increasing the amount of manure heading to the facility would magnify the already “putrid” odour.

“Alpair has not been able to meet its conditions in regards to the compost site — it has regularly affected neighbouring properties with odour that could often be described as putrid,” he said at the meeting.

“It’s forcing us to seal off our home and using airconditioning instead of being able to open windows or doors for fresh air.

“We know what it’s like to experience hotel quarantine lockdowns, long before those exposed to Covid have.”

Fellow resident Peter Hood said the odour was so bad during various times of the year, it would actually wake him up in the night.

“I’m not against development but I’m sick of (this),” he said.

“You people have got to have some balls and say that there is a problem, because there is a problem.

“I was woken three times in a week, dry-retching because of this stench.”

Speaking for the applicant, town planner David Ireland said McLean Farms had satisfied all its conditions mandated by the council to secure approval, reminding councillors the manure pit was not being voted on.

“With respect to the farm, we have solid grounds for approval and solid demonstrated compliance with assessment benchmarks,” he said.

“That’s the compost facility that services McLean’s operations there (and) as has been acknowledged, it’s subject to its existing (approval).

“If there are issues with that, there should be processes with how to manage (odour).”

There was confusion as to whether the compliance of the composting site was a state or local responsibility, which nearly led to the matter being deferred.

But a letter was read out by planning general manager Stewart Somers that confirmed the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries was investigating odour and water quality at creeks near the facility.

Councillor Kerry Shine was the only elected official to vote against the expansion.