The Bugle 10 September 2016
A fortnightly celebration of people and places on the Upper South Coast of NSW
Serving the communities of Kiama, Gerringong, Jamberoo, Kiama Downs, Minnamurra and Gerroa and now at www.thebugleonline.com
Battle royale brewing over Rose Valley abattoir There’s no love lost between Rose Valley neighbours Gerhard Baden and Ken Sandy, and things don’t look to be about to get any better. Last December we reported that Kiama Council had voted to allow the Badens, of Shottlanders Wagyu in Rose Valley, to send their planning proposal for a micro-abattoir to the Department of Planning for a Gateway determination. This was necessary to allow an exception to the Local Environment Plan which specifically excludes abattoirs from permitted
land use. In 2013, a DA by the Badens for an abattoir was knocked back by Council on that basis. Ken Sandy believes that should have been the end of the matter. “Clearly I am intimately connected with the issue I don’t want an abattoir across the road from my house,” he says. “But the bigger issue to me is that in 2013 they rejected the origi- Gerhard Baden with some of his Wagyu nal application because it is prohibited. that asks the same question. well), and Milton, because “After two years seeking “When the Council didn’t their three year old beasts advice he has come back give him the same answer are so much bigger than the with a planning proposal I was gob-smacked. yearlings the plant is de“If the local planning signed for. instrument is to have any It is for this latter reason value to the community, that the Badens are currently they should use it.” on notice from Wilberforce, Kiama Council voted to endorse the Baden's planning The Badens believe that and the next closest option proposal in order that it could be referred to the Departthe abattoir they are propos- will be Casino in northern ment of Planning and Environment for a Gateway Detering is not what was envisNSW. mination, a process necessary to allow consideration aged when that activity was Having made his own inof amendment to the Local Environment Plan (LEP). excluded from the LEP. vestigations, Ken Sandy is In early August, the Department granted gateway, Rather than the image sceptical of this claim and which allows public consultation and further detailed the word conjures up, their many of the expert reports assessment, and delegated the authority to make the micro-abattoir is designed accompanying the proposal. final determination to Kiama Council, specifying that for purely their own farm’s The abattoir will be the proposal go on public exhibition for 28 days after use, with a maximum capac- housed in a purpose built Council has consulted with Rural Fire Services, the Dept ity of two beasts a week. 8mx11m shed, which will of Primary Industries and the EPA. They are currently transincorporate a knocking box The exhibition period is expected to begin next week, porting their animals up to and a cool room to hang the with submissions welcome from the public. No public Wilberforce monthly, a 6-7 meat. It will be much hearing is required. An assessment process will then hour round trip. They are smaller than the existing be conducted by Council's planning department, and using this abattoir because 20mx11m and 27mx11m a recommendation put before a Council meeting for a the other closer ones are no sheds. determination. Should the planning proposal be allowed, longer an option - WolThe Badens say a state-ofthe Badens will then need to submit a DA to Council for londilly, because they now the-art on-site sewage treatapproval. Appeals can be made at either stage. won’t allow viewing of the ment facility and effluent What is being proposed is not a blanket change in the process (which the Badens re-use scheme will ensure no LEP, but a exemption to allow a prohibited land use on a insist on to ensure their smells or pollution of the particular property, under particular conditions. beasts and meat is treated Werri Lagoon catchment.
Understanding the Gateway process and what’s ahead
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Again, Ken Sandy has strong doubts about the ability of this system to prevent pollution. This is particularly due to his fears that the number of animals being processed could easily rise from the two per week currently proposed once the facility was up and running. “Once he has permission for an abattoir, what is to stop him saying my business won’t survive unless I increase the size of the kill?” Ken says. According to the Badens, this won’t happen because the facility is designed for low capacity. “The whole idea is to walk the animals right out of the paddock into the knocking box to keep their blood pressure as low as possible,” says Gerhard. “This is both humane and will allow us to get the best quality meat.” The proposal also involves a 60 seat revolving restaurant on the hill.
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