3 November 2006

Text may be used as quotes attributed to Mr Jeremy Dawkins, Chairman, Western Australian Planning Commission

A proposed expansion of a poultry farm at Lot 251 Victoria Road, Wattle Grove, has been granted planning approval, subject to eight stringent conditions.

The proposal, in the Shire of Kalamunda, required the additional approval of the Western Australian Planning Commission. Poultry farms in the metropolitan region must be referred to the WAPC for approval under the Metropolitan Region Scheme.

In cases such as these the WAPC seeks to reconcile competing interests. In many areas of farmland around Perth a transition is taking place from farming to semi-rural residential. In the meantime existing farms need to continue to feed Perth and to improve their operations, while residents moving into the area have a reasonable expectation of urban standards of amenity.

These principles are addressed in a high-level statutory document called State Planning Policy 4.3 Poultry Farms Policy.

The land is zoned rural. A poultry farm is an appropriate use for rural zoned land. Importantly, the expansion maintains the existing setbacks to the lot boundaries, ensuring a minimum setback of 100 metres from existing dwellings.

In carefully assessing this proposal, the WAPC applied the policy on poultry farms. The WAPC also took into account local concerns regarding the impact of the poultry farm on local amenity, and the improved control of emissions which will decrease current impacts on the neighbours.

Conditions imposed on the applicant require the preparation and implementation of noise and odour management plans.

ends

Background

Conditions imposed in the proposal

1. Exhaust emissions from the tunnel ventilation system to be suitably ducted to a wet scrubber system utilising a chemical agent to control odours to the specifications of the Shire of Kalamunda. Final discharge of emissions are to be via short stacks less than 5 metres in height to the specifications of the Shire of Kalamunda and the satisfaction of the WAPC.

2. Preparation and implementation of an odour management plan to the specifications of the Shire of Kalamunda and the satisfaction of the WAPC.

3. Preparation and implementation of a noise management plan to the specifications of the Shire of Kalamunda and the satisfaction of the WAPC.

4. All stormwater to be disposed of on site to the specifications of the Shire of Kalamunda and the satisfaction of the WAPC.

5. Landscape screening to the proposed shed extensions being provided to the specifications of the Shire of Kalamunda and the satisfaction of the WAPC prior to the completion of the shed extensions.

6. The materials and colour scheme of the proposed extensions to match the existing sheds to the specifications of the Shire of Kalamunda and the satisfaction of the WAPC.

7. A sign being erected at the main entrance of the farm, in accordance with schedule 1 of the WAPC's State Planning Policy 4.3 Poultry Farms, indicating the type of farm, hours of operation and the possibility of undesirable environmental impacts on the surrounding area to the specifications of the Shire of Kalamunda and the satisfaction of the WAPC.

8. Dust mitigation measures being used to minimise dust nuisance to neighbours and surrounding land uses the specifications of the Shire of Kalamunda and the satisfaction of the WAPC.

Media contact: Natasha Farrell 9264 7518 / 0408 955 604