Free range intent missing

WITH reference to the article Issue Is Intense (Mail, 26 May 2015).
This article misses the true intent of Planning Scheme Amendment C146 that is to introduce a permit process to consider present and future ’free range’ farming in Green Wedge Zones 1, 2 and 3 in line with all other municipalities with green wedge zones… ‘free range’.
Even after lengthy discussions with the reporter, there is not one mention of ‘free range!’
The prohibition of intensive animal husbandry came to council’s attention in 2014 after complaints were received about a ’free range’ pork farm within the area where intensive animal husbandry is prohibited.
As council investigated the matter, the issue of how to define this type of free range farming became apparent.
Pending any State Government change to the definition, council is seeking a declaration at VCAT of whether this farm meets the definition of intensive animal husbandry.
Should VCAT determine it is not intensive animal husbandry, there would be scope for council to consider the farm as an ’innominate’ or unspecified use, which would require a permit under the zone.
If it is determined to be extensive (grazing) it is permit exempt.
If VCAT decides the farm is intensive animal husbandry – it is prohibited under the current provisions.
This case highlights a broader planning issue of whether intensive animal husbandry, which at present includes any farm where most of the feed is imported, should be prohibited from specific green wedge zone areas.
The issue is particularly relevant in light of the changing farming practices which are moving away from the traditional pens and enclosures to meet market demand for free range product.
The green wedge zone is the only zone where animal husbandry can occur, and it is arguable that all green wedge areas should allow intensive animal husbandry subject to a planning permit.
With the current prohibition in Clause 53, council has no scope to even consider these farms or enter into a permit process to address any issues.
To assist council to understand the implications of relaxing the current prohibition of intensive animal husbandry in the GWZ1-3, an agricultural specialist Ag Challenge Consulting was commissioned to compile a brief working paper on newer agricultural practices which may be suited to the lot sizes, conditions and climate of Yarra Ranges’ GWZ 1-3 areas.
The task also required the consultant to identify potential impacts resulting from allowing intensive animal husbandry in these areas.
The consultant’s report identifies 10 emerging agricultural practices potentially suited to the area and provides a snapshot of environmental and amenity issues and other regulatory controls relevant to each.
The report covers free range chicken, free range egg production, intensive goat farming for meat, free range pig farming, turkey farming, emu farming, pheasant farming, ostrich farming and farmed rabbit.
The report recommends that Yarra Ranges Council removes the prohibition of intensive animal husbandry from the Schedule attached to the green wedge zone and replace it with a permit requirement for intensive animal industries which are not fully dependant on animals being housed at all times.
A copy of the report is provided here: http://www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/files/3bc5a1fe-fbcf-4923-8247-c1429625b836/2015-02-10-Item-7.2-Attachments-1-to-3-Intensive-Animal-Husbandry-Green-Wedge-Zones.pdf?streamfile=true.
Cr Jim Child,
O’Shannassy Ward.