A DEVELOPMENT application for a free range poultry shed at Firefly has been approved by Greater Taree City Council, subject to conditions.
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The poultry farm, set on 40.23 hectares on Waterloo Road, will be for the commercial production of birds and accommodate a maximum of 12,000 birds.
Council received numerous objections to the proposed development, which raised issues such as visual impacts, traffic generation, potential pollution of the Wallamba River, odour impacts, stocking rate of hens and noise.
Letters of support were also received.
Responses included form letters, a petition and individual letters.
The report from council staff determined that the proposed development was consistent with the zone objectives and was permissible with consent of councillors.
It also complied with the relevant Development Control Plan.
The Department of Primary Industries advised council staff of its concerns and the staff addressed those and imposed conditions where applicable.
Three people spoke against the development application at the February meeting of council - Diane Willey, Gavin Sullivan and Christine Moulds - who are all residents near the location of the proposed poultry farm.
Concerns were raised regarding bio-security, health impacts on neighbouring residents, environmental factors, fears of water contamination, visual impacts and the potential to attract wild dogs or foxes.
John Fyfe, who would be living on and managing the farm and consultant David Pensini spoke for the application.
They agreed to comply with the 64 conditions imposed by council, as well as additional conditions that ensure the development is 100m from the river and adequately screened.
The motion to allow the development application subject to conditions was passed with support from councillors Brad Christensen, Robyn Jenkins, David West, Alan Tickle, Trent Jennison and Paul Hogan.
Councillors against the motion were Kathryn Bell, Peter Epov and David Keegan.