ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
TEARS of joy flooded a full gallery on Monday, March 6, as Latrobe City Council approved a permit for the development of Kevin Perry’s property.
The approved planning permit – which upended a recommended refusal by the council officers – will allow Mr Perry to live on the property and carry on the family farming tradition.
Mr Perry grew up in Yinnar on his grandfather’s dairy farm. “As soon as I could stand I was out on the bucket, helping milk the cows,” he said.
Mr Perry and his father bought the 21.5 hectare property in Yinnar South, 11 years ago.
The property has nine paddocks, two new sheds, a fully developed stock water network, new stockyards and 20 Angus mothers for breeding.
Mr Perry argued to council that a house on the property is essential for effective farm management. Experiencing high calving losses on the farm in 2022 resulted in about a $25,000 loss for the Perry’s in that year.
A dwelling on farm land serves as a farm office, administrative centre, meeting room, first aid shed, animal pharmacy, security and biosecurity checkpoint, tea room, toilet block, and monitoring post around the clock, 365 days a year. Stock can be monitored for health and welfare and rotated through paddocks for maximum feed utilisation.
The permit approval means that Mr Perry can move out of their parents’ home and raise his own family on the property.
“I’m the fourth generational farmer of my family, little Charlie now will be the fifth generational farmer,” he said.
The family will also be able to manage their time more effectively and be more productive.
First buying the property 11 years ago, the Perry’s approached council with no luck, but with the help of a farming consultant, the Perry’s managed to get the plan in motion.
Mr Perry suggested this council decision “can set precedence for the area”.
“Our land is landlocked by other farms. There’s no room to expand,” he said.
Council issued a report into the planning permit that recommended to refuse, on the grounds that the justification was not adequate and the land did not need a dwelling.
The council report also found that the case was inconsistent with the purpose of the farming zone and local policy.
The property, in a bushfire risk area, was also at odds under conditions proposed by Planning Scheme Amendment C127.
Yet even despite some opposition, council approved this special case.
Dean Suckling, director at Enprove Ag & Environment and Mr Perry’s farming consultant, was relieved that the “right outcome was made”.
“I’ve been doing this a long time, I’ve worked with thousands of farms, big and small and they are all worthy. I commend Mr Perry for improving our industry.”
Mr Perry thanked Mr Suckling for making his dream possible and also all the councillors for their contribution.
