FEATHERS remain ruffled over a proposed chook farm at Tyntynder South, as nearby residents met to discuss how best to respond to the application for a commercial egg laying facility housing up to 45,000 hens.
More than 50 people gathered at Beverford Tavern on Saturday night, with most indicating they will be lodging a formal objection to council in regards to the proposal to develop a 10-acre block of land on the south west corner of Chillingollah Road and Murray Valley Highway.
The meeting scrutinised the planning permit application and its related environmental management plan, with concerns raised over issues such as noise, dust, pollution, traffic and odour.
Attendees iterated they were not opposed to development in the Swan Hill region, but objected to the location of the proposed poultry farm, which is within 500 metres of nine properties.
Tim Van Liessum expressed concern about the possibility of water contamination, as the dam on his farm is directly adjacent to the southern end of the proposed development.
“It’s a major concern,” he said.
“There’s no drainage on that block of land… the natural flow of the land is downwards.
“Even an inch of rain will have an impact.”
Last week Warrick Fisher from Fisher Planning, the company based in Mildura that lodged the planning permit application on behalf of Melbourne man Huy Pham, said he was aware there were homes close to the site, but stated Mr Pham was confident he would meet the development’s environmental requirements.
“There are [Environmental Protection Authority] guidelines that you have to meet, otherwise they can close you down,” Mr Fisher said.
The public have until this Friday to lodge an objection to the planning permit application.
