By KATH GANNAWAY
YARRA Ranges councillor Jim Child has rejected suggestions a proposed planning scheme amendment could pave the way for factory farming.
A petition launched on change.org urges people to oppose Amendment C146 which it claims will allow feedlots, piggeries and broiler farms in Green Wedge zones.
The amendment proposes to remove the current prohibition on intensive animal husbandry in Green Wedge Zones 1, 2 and 3 which cover parts of Wandin North, Silvan, Monbulk, Coldstream, Gruyere, Macclesfield, Belgrave South, Sassafras, Narre Warren East, Yellingbo and Hoddles Creek.
A letter sent to around 3000 property owners in those areas invited comment on the proposal.
It explained the definition of Intensive Animal Husbandry as the use of land to keep or breed farm animals where the majority of feed is sourced off site.
“It includes cattle feedlots, piggeries and broiler farms, but can also be less intense free-range farms where animals are not kept in enclosures,” the letter stated.
The problem, according to Cr Child, is that any farm where the animals are not solely grazing, falls within the current classification of intensive animal husbandry.
And, all intensive animal husbandry is currently prohibited in the Green Wedge 1, 2 and 3 zones.
In just over a week, more than 1160 people, many from across Yarra Ranges Shire, but also from around Australia and overseas, have signed the petition – “Say NO to Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme Amendment C146 – Intensive Animal Husbandry”.
The petition states: “The Shire of Yarra Ranges is in a Green Wedge Zone and this means that intensive animal husbandry like feedlots, piggeries and broiler farms are prohibited at the moment.
“The shire wants to change the planning scheme so that in the future permits can be given to allow these sorts of farms.
“Feedlots, piggeries and broiler farms keep animals in permanent confinement; crammed together in cages, sheds or pens for their entire lives. They will never roam in a paddock, lie in the sun or forage for their food. This is factory farming.”
Objections range from fears the proposed changes will lead to cruel and inhumane treatment of farm animals to degradation of the green wedge zones.
Sue Forrester from Dixons Creek posted “I cannot believe this shire (which supposedly prides itself on being green) condones the idea of factory farming”.
Sue Hoffman from Warburton labelled factory farming “inhumane”, and Kylie Barton from Upper Ferntree Gully said it was “cruel and unnecessary”.
“Intensive farming is unwanted in my town of Monbulk/Olinda,” Robert Stephen posted.
Former Yarra Ranges councillor Samantha Dunn called for a site specific amendment, saying the C146 proposal was a ‘retrograde step’.
But Cr Child says all these comments miss the point, and presume the opposite to what Amendment C146 aims to achieve.
He said currently, a property owner with a few chickens who brings in the majority of their feed is defined in the same way as a farmer running cattle or pigs where food is brought in to supplement grazing.
In Green Wedge Zones 5 and 6, this is allowed under a permit, but in Zones 1, 2 and 3, it is not.
“We don’t want to go down the track of extreme intensive farming where you have a female animal in a factory situation,” Cr Child said.
“That is why we are looking at this scenario and why we have to be very clear in our explanation (to the Minister) of what we want.”
Cr Child said although letters were sent only to residents in the areas directly affected, any Yarra Ranges resident could make a submission.
The amendment documents are available for viewing at Yarra Ranges Community Link Centres, on the council website www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/146 , and at www.dtpli.vic.gov.au/ublicinspection
Submissions must be sent in writing by 1 June.
Panel hearings will be on 3 August and 1 September.
