
Through your paper I would like to bring to the attention of your readers, that a Development Application has been lodged for another large scale broiler (meat chicken) poultry farm in the Manilla area. This is a State Significant Development. The EIS for this development is currently on exhibition at Tamworth Regional Council it can also be viewed on the NSW Department of Planning (Major Projects) Website. The Dept of Planning is the consent authority for this development proposal, the last day for submissions in relation to this proposal is the 4th of October 2018.
This development to be known as, the Rushes Creek Poultry Production Farm is proposed to be built on a property which adjoins the foreshores of Keepit Dam at the Manilla Ski Gardens! That’s right adjoining the foreshores of the dam!
The proposed location of this large scale poultry farm should be a major concern to all, especially for those people who frequent the dam on a regular basis and enjoy the many forms of recreational activities on and around the foreshores of the dam. The potential of adverse impacts on the dam resulting from the odours, dust, traffic and noise as a result of this development could affect all those who use the dam. Should there ever be a pollution incident or a contamination issue at this farm it will in all probability end up in the waters of the dam.
This farm (factory farming complex) will have a very significant visual impact on the local area which will spoil the rural character of the area. The farm proposes 54 sheds which will each occupy an area of 2,880 sq m. The 54 sheds will house in excess of 3 million birds at any one time. The farm will produce over 17 million birds per annum.
TRC has identified Keepit Dam as a potential future source of water for the city of Tamworth. I’m not too sure that many people would like to drink water that could be polluted and contaminated by a large scale poultry farm. To all of you that are concerned by this proposed development I would urge you to lodge an objection to this proposal. Objections should be sent to the NSW Dept of Planning, this can be done electronically via the Dept of Planning website (www.majorprojects.planning.nsw.gov.au/page/on-exhibition).
Chris Boman,
Rushes Creek