A Gippsland farmer has lodged a planning application to build what would be one of Victoria's first undercover, automated cattle feedlots, triggering significant community opposition in the state's south-east. The proposed 2,206-head facility at Llowalong, north of the towns of Maffra and Stratford, has prompted a petition of almost 700 signatures and heated debate at Wellington Shire Council.
What the Automated Feedlot Proposal Involves
Under the plan, cattle would be housed in enclosed sheds and fed on a 90-day cycle before being transported for processing. The proponent, farmer Angus Zilm, says the facility would introduce advanced cattle feeding technology to Gippsland, with an emphasis on animal welfare, efficient feeding practices and environmental management.
Mr Zilm said the project had been in preparation for about two years, with engineers and specialist agricultural and environmental consultants engaged to assess the site and develop the supporting documentation.
"A substantial amount of technical investigation, design and review has gone into preparing the application over the last two years," he said.
He added the feedlot would offer contract feeding services, giving local cattle producers the option to have their animals fed at the site rather than managing that process on their own properties. He suggested a closer facility could reduce transport costs for producers in the region.
Community Concerns: Roads, Odour and Noise
Residents living near the proposed site have raised a range of objections, focusing primarily on road safety, noise and odour. At Wellington Shire Council's October meeting, local resident Nick Lee addressed councillors on behalf of neighbouring properties, urging the application be rejected outright.
"The proximity to other farms and homes will have the following impacts: increased traffic movements and potential impacts on local road infrastructure, increased noise levels, odour and pollution of nearby residences, environmental and health concerns," Mr Lee told the meeting.
He argued that Llowalong Road is not suitable for the volume of heavy vehicle traffic the feedlot would generate, warning that adding more than 850 truck movements per year would materially increase risk to residents, farmers and other road users.
The petition carrying nearly 700 signatures was formally presented to the council at its October 6 meeting, with a motion to reject the proposal carried by councillors. The matter was referred to the council's general manager of development to be discussed at a future meeting.
Decision Unlikely Before Next Year
Wellington Shire Council chief executive David Morcom acknowledged the complexity of the application and indicated the community should not expect a quick resolution. He said a final decision on the proposal would likely not be made until next year.
"These applications can be quite complex. There can be quite a lot of to-ing and fro-ing and we will certainly keep you abridged of that process," Mr Morcom said.
Mr Zilm, for his part, said his team was continuing to work through the council's questions and the concerns raised by neighbours, with specialist advisers helping to prepare responses.
"We know our neighbours have questions and we take that seriously," he said. "We want to get this right, so we're working through the concerns with our specialist advisers and providing council with the information it needs."
What Comes Next
The application will be considered at a future Wellington Shire Council meeting, with no firm date yet set for a decision. The outcome could set a precedent for similar undercover, automated feedlot proposals elsewhere in Victoria, given the state has few if any comparable facilities currently in operation.
Community members and the proponent alike appear to be preparing for an extended assessment process as council works through the technical, environmental and infrastructure questions the proposal has raised.
