AN OVERWHELMING majority of submissions objecting to Baiada Poultry’s proposal for its $82 million development at Manilla has prompted Tamworth Regional Council to hold an extra engagement session on the project.
The council last week confirmed there had been just seven submissions supporting the project, compared to 80 submissions against it.
Baiada plans to build the southern hemisphere’s largest broiler farm with 70 sheds across five farms housing up to three million birds at peak production.
Submissions against the project included 35 from individual landholders, along with submissions from groups including the Namoi River Community Group and Namoi Water.
For irrigators Robert Moore and Lisa Rochfort, it’s not only a community issue – it’s personal.
The couple own “Yarrenbool”, on the Namoi River, producing 4000 tonnes of lucerne hay each year and running prime lambs.
Ms Rochfort said the development could destroy the business, making both ventures unviable.
“Nobody wants to buy hay that has chicken feathers in it,” Mr Rochfort said.
“When the chickens are being transported they can’t be in closed trucks because they’re a live animal.
“The feathers accumulate in time and given the number of truck movements that’s a big concern.”
Objectors to the Baiada development claim there has been little reference to biosecurity issues in the company’s development applications.
Water security and quality were among the top priorities for objectors in their submissions.
“I think we all have the same interests,” Ms Rochfort said.
“We’re concerned about the security of town water and the health of the people.
“The main issue is it’s eight kilometres out of town and it’s upstream from the town water system.
“We use water out of the river as well as drink from it, so if there are any issues with the water arising from the Baiada development, it’s not only going to affect the landholders, it will affect the whole town.”
The invitation-only engagement session, to be held at Manilla on April 28, will provide those who lodged written comment with feedback about key points raised in the submissions received.
The venue, time and details of the meeting will only be provided to those invited.
“This is supposed to be largest broiler project in the southern hemisphere and the council only wants to see people by invitation,” Ms Rochfort said.
“That’s a fantastic example of the level of insecurity surrounding this project.”
The council’s planning and community services director Jackie Kruger said all submissions had been forwarded to the relevant government agencies, including the Environment Protection Authority, the Office of Water and the Office of Environment and Heritage.
Baiada has also been given the opportunity to respond to submissions.
“It will be some time before it is known when the development application will be formally considered by council, but those who made submissions will be advised beforehand and the wider community will also be advised through local media,” Ms Kruger said.
