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Rosedale residents are invited to have their say on a proposed $6 million broiler farm in the town’s east.
Focus CDS Consultants, on behalf of private company Joma Pty Ltd, has applied to Wellington Shire Council to develop a 400,000-bird broiler farm on a 121-hectare site on Rosedale-Longford Road.
The land, about four kilometres out of town, is zoned for farming and supports the establishment of broiler farms.
Plans for the site revealed eight 50,000 capacity chicken sheds, 12 feed silos, a staff amenities building, vehicle wheel wash and machinery shed along with three water tanks.
An alternative access road and construction of a new dam are also mooted.
To combat odour, the farm would be located more than one kilometre from the nearest dwelling – the minimum requirement by the State Government is 686 metres.
Developers also proposed extensive planting around the sheds’ perimeter would minimise odour and help screen the sheds from passers-by.
In its application Focus CDS Consultants states the introduction of the broiler farm would “diversify and strengthen the shire’s economic base as well as have benefits by way of direct and indirect employment generation”.
If approved, it is estimated the farm would create up to six ongoing jobs, with additional contractor work during and post construction.
Focus CDS Consultants did not respond to the Express’ request for an interview.
Residents who believe they will be impacted by the farm’s development have until 5pm Monday, 16 January to provide a submission for or against the development.
Wellington Shire Council confirmed on Friday it had received one submission to date “raising some concerns” about the proposal.
“Following the close of the exhibition period, all submissions to the proposal will be given due consideration and used to make a fully informed decision. This will be made in due course,” council’s general manager of development, John Websdale, said.
Mr Websdale said councillors were being kept informed of the proposal but he expects the decision to be made by council staff and not at a council meeting.
Plans for the broiler farm, including information on how to make a submission, can be found at wellington.vic.gov.au
