SINGLETON Council has approved the controversial duck farm at Howes Valley after debate on Monday night.
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Residents both for and against the farm packed the council gallery that had to be opened up to accommodate the emotive crowd.
The duck farm, that has a capacity to house 22,000 ducks in 12 poultry sheds, was originally rejected by Singleton Council in 2008 and has been repeatedly rejected since.
However the most recent development application (DA) prepared by Central Coast firm Aconsult that includes an environmental impact statement was approved by council with 47 conditions of consent.
Councillor Sue Moore said that those 47 conditions of consent answered the concerns of residents. Councillor Bob Keown who moved the motion of approval said that it would be detrimental to the progression of Howes Valley if council didn't approve the farm.
During the public display period council received a total of 35 submissions on the development application, with 34 against the proposal, including animal welfare groups.
Some of the big concerns were the potential for bird flu or other diseases to enter the community, odour from the farm, pollution in the nearby river and the welfare of the ducks, particularly dehydration from a potential lack of water during times of drought.
On Monday Animal Liberation's Emma Hurst said the duck farm does not meet the desired future of the area by the residents and she was concerned about wild ducks entering the area and their potential to spread diseases in the region.
She said that the current DA was prepared under council’s old Local Environment Policy (LEP) and the same DA would be prohibited under their new LEP on Rural 2 zoned land which is the classification of the duck farm.
Ms Hurst said there was interest from the residents at the Howes Valley community in appealing the decision in the Land and Environment Court.
However resident Jodie Green said there’s a misconception that all Howes Valley residents are against this farm.
“I and other families support the farm because jobs are slim pickings out here and if this brings jobs we need it,” she said.
Bill Smith said the duck farm was a sustainable business that will enhance Singleton.
“This is an Australia product and does not get exported overseas,” he said.
Speaking on behalf of the owner, Steven Blanco, dispelled some of the arguments raised at council particularly that the facility will be about making a profit from the duck manure stating the farm was mainly for breeding.
He also said the design of the sheds would not allow run off into the nearby MacDonald River.
Val Scott was the only councillor to vote against the council business paper’s recommendation.
In the aftermath of the council meeting resident Anne Olsen said that the more than 100 people who have written submissions over the last five years are devastated at the outcome and hoped that council could police the conditions of consent they have outlined.
