By PETER DOUGLAS
PROHIBITIONS around intensive agriculture operations in the Yarra Ranges may soon be relaxed.
To help address changing farming practices, Yarra Ranges council will seek authorisation from Victoria Minister for Planning, Richard Wynne, to prepare and exhibit an amendment to the shire’s Planning Scheme.
This amendment would remove the present prohibition on intensive animal husbandry in Green Wedge Zone schedules one, two and three.
At council’s Tuesday meeting, Cr Jim Childs moved the motion to seek authorisation, to which Cr Jason Callinan seconded.
While the motion passed, some councillors urged this issue be treated with caution.
Cr Fiona McAlister feared the change could leave the region susceptible to undesirable change in farming practices.
“I don’t know if this will open up a flood of applications, but we should be cautious about opening the gate too wide,” Cr McAlister said.
“There are no guarantees on the social impact and how this change will be managed.
“We want to encourage the right type of farming, such as free-range.”
Cr Len Cox also expressed fears over what changes this amendment may bring.
“If someone opens up intense farming next door, I wouldn’t have thought that resident would be all that happy,” he said.
“You can argue that it’s a farming area, but people don’t want a large amount of noise and smell.”
The issue of changing farming practices first came to council’s attention in 2014, after complaints were received about a free-range pork farm within an area where intensive animal husbandry is prohibited.
Upon investigation, the issue of how to define this type of free-range farming became apparent.
Cr Noel Cliff said the proposed amendment could result in positive change for the Yarra Ranges.
“We are promoted as an agriculture region, as a place to grow and buy good produce,” Cr Cliff said.
