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Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning Permit Guidelines
June 2018
Authorised by the Victorian Government Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR), 1 Spring Street Melbourne Victoria 3000. June 2018.
ISBN 978-1-925734-23-2 (Print) ISBN 978-1-925734-24-9 (pdf/online/MS word)
© Copyright State of Victoria. Except for any logos, emblems, trademarks, artwork and photography this document is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/
Disclaimer This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its employees do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.
Accessibility If you would like to receive this publication in an alternative format, please telephone the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR) Customer Service Centre 136 186, email [email protected], via the National Relay Service on 133 677 or visit www.relayservice.com.au . This document is also available in Portable Document Format at www.agriculture.vic.gov.au
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Contents
Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning Permit Guidelines – An overview 2
1. Purpose 3
2. Background 4
3. Scope of these Guidelines 5
4. Planning permit requirements for poultry farms 7
5. Threshold requirements for Guidelines 8
6. Simplified planning permit assessment for a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm 9
7. What information should be submitted with a permit application? 10
8. Assessment criteria for a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm 11
9. Notice and review of applications 15
10. Referring applications 15
11. Decision guidelines for assessing a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm planning permit application 16
12. Model permit conditions 16
13. Additional information 17
Appendices 18
Appendix A: Additional guidance for applicants and planners in the development and assessment of proposals 18
1. Site selection 18
2. Buffer distances from waterways 18
3. Separation distances from sensitive uses and locations 18
4. Poultry farm design, operation and management 18
Appendix B: Model permit conditions 20
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Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning Permit Guidelines – An overview
These guidelines apply to poultry farms that satisfy the following operational criteria:
ü a maximum of 5,000 chickens for egg production or 10,000 chickens for meat production
ü a production system based on keeping poultry outdoors in paddocks
ü a maximum outdoor stocking density of 1,500 birds /hectare
ü mobile housing and feeding infrastructure that is relocated at least every two weeks
ü adequate separation from waterways, residential areas and sensitive uses
ü a nutrient management plan is in place and at least 50% ground cover is maintained
These guidelines apply to the following planning permit applications:
ü existing low density mobile outdoor poultry farms that do not have a permit
ü new low density mobile outdoor poultry farms
ü expansions of existing low density mobile outdoor poultry farms
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1. Purpose
The purpose of these Guidelines is to:
• deliversoundenvironmentalperformanceintheplanningandmanagementoflowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmsinVictoria
• protectthesurroundingenvironmentandlocalamenityfromadverseimpacts
• protectandpermitaneconomicallyviable,competitiveandsustainablepoultryindustry
• provideafit-for-purposeplanningassessmentprocessforlowriskpoultryfarms.
Toachievetheseoutcomes,theseGuidelines:
• setstandardsforthesize,siting,designandmanagementoflowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarms,and
• provideguidanceonthepreparation,assessmentanddeterminationofpermitapplicationsthroughtheplanningpermitsystem.
TheseGuidelinesprovideinformationanddirectiontoapplicantsandplannersforassessingplanningpermitapplicationstoestablishormodifyalowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarm.Theyoutlinewhatplannersshouldexpectintheapplication,andpresentkeydecisionguidelinestosupportassessmentoftheapplication.
TheseGuidelinessetouttheeligibilityrequirementsforasimplifiedplanningassessmentprocessbasedonthefarmshavinglowenvironmentalandamenityrisks.
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2. Background
Poultry farms in Victoria
Victoria’sanimalindustries(includingpoultryfarms)aresignificantcontributorstotheVictorianeconomy.TheyaremajoremployersinruralandregionalVictoriaandareVictoria’slargestagriculturalindustry.
ThereareanumberofdifferentpoultryproductionsystemsinVictoriarangingfromverysmallfarmstolargeintensiveshedbasedfacilities.Poultrycanincludechickens(broilersformeatproduction),chickens(eggproduction),ducks,geese,turkey,quail,squab,emuandostriches.
Poultryproductionsystemscanbebroadlyclassifiedasindoororoutdoor.
Indoor systemsarewherepoultrylivepredominantlyindoorsinsheds.
Outdoor systemsarewherepoultrypredominantlyliveoutdoorsinpaddocksorenclosures.
Broiler farms:Abroilerfarmislandusedtokeepbroilerchickensfortheproductionofmeat.Mostfarmsoperatebybuyinginday-oldchickensandgrowingthebirdstoproductionweight.Day-oldbirdsareinitiallykeptinshedswheretheyareshelteredfromtheelements,andwheretheyhavereadyandcontinuousaccesstofeedandwater.Inoutdoorsystems,oncebirdsareoldenough,theywillbemovedtoorwillhaveaccesstotheoutdoorrangeareaorpaddocks.Thesefarmsareoftenreferredtoasfree-rangebroiler(chickenmeat)farms.
Free-rangechickenmeatfarmscanvarysignificantlyfromverysmall-scalefarmswithmobilehousingsystems(e.g.mobilesheds,sheltersorcaravans)locatedinpaddocks/pasturestolargescalecommercialfarmswithtunnelventilatedsheds,associatedinfrastructureandoutdoorrangesattachedtotheshed.ThisGuidelineisfocusedonthesmall-scalemobileoutdoorsystems.
Egg farms:Aneggfarmislandusedtokeepchickensfortheproductionofeggs.Theproductioncyclestartswiththebreedingandhatchingofday-oldchicks(breedingandhatching).Chicksarerearedtoaround17-20weeksofageatwhichpointtheywillbereadytostartlayingeggs(pointoflay).Thematurebirds(pulletsandhens)thencommencetheirproductivelife.Oncebirdsareoldenough,theywillbemovedtoorwillhaveaccesstotheoutdoorrangeareaorpaddocks.Somepoultryfarmswillincorporateanyoneoralloftheseproductionstages:
• breedingandhatching
• pulletrearing
• eggproduction.
Therearemanydifferentlayerhensystemsincludingcaged,barnandfree-range/outdoor.Eggfarmscanalsorangefrombeingverysmall-scaletoverylargescalecommercialfarmswithtunnelventilatedshedsandassociatedinfrastructure.TheseGuidelinesarefocusedonthelowdensitymobileoutdoorsystems.
Someproducersdescribetheirpoultryfarmsas‘free-range’,‘pastured’and‘regenerative’.Thesetermsmaydescribeparticularethicalrequirementsortargetmarkets,forexample,thosebasedonspecificconsumerpreferences,thatthendeterminetheproductionpractices.Someofthesesystemsalsohaveindustryaccreditationprogramsattachedtothem.Theseoperationsaregenerallystillformsofoutdoorpoultryfarms.
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3. Scope of these Guidelines
PoultryfarmsfallundertheAnimalProductiondefinitioninClause73.03oftheVictoria Planning ProvisionsandallVictorianplanningschemes.
Animal production is land used to keep or breed farm animals for the production of livestock, eggs, fibre, meat, milk or other animal products.
A poultry farm is land used to keep or breed poultry.
Apoultryfarmcanalsoincludeabroiler farm.
These Guidelines apply to a planning permit application for:
• broiler farms for meat production (farm capacity of no more than 10,000 birds)
AND
• poultry farms for chicken egg production (farm capacity of no more than 5,000 birds).
These Guidelines do not apply to:
• broiler farms of more than 10,000 birds
• poultryfarmsforeggproductionofmorethan5,000 birds
• other poultry species such as ducks, geese, turkey, quail, squab, emu, ostriches etc.
These Guidelines apply to a particular type of low risk outdoor production system: low density mobile outdoor poultry farms.
Low density mobile outdoor poultry farmsareatypeofoutdoorpoultryproductionsystemwhich,ifwellmanaged,presentsverylowenvironmentalandamenityrisks.
Low density mobile outdoor poultry farmsarewhere,onceoldenough,poultryliveoutdoorsinpaddockswithunfetteredforagingopportunities.Stockingdensitiesarekeptlowandrangeareasarerestedtoallowgroundcovertobemaintainedandtorestricttherateofmanurenutrientadditionstothesoil.
Mobilehousingisprovidedtoprotectpoultryinpaddocksfromtheelements(andtolayeggs).Birdsmaybehousedovernightfortheprotectionfrompredators.Preparedfeedisprovided,typicallyinself-feeders.Thehousing,feedersandwateringpointsareregularlyandfrequentlymovedtodistributemanurenutrientsmoreevenly.
Lowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmsmayalsoincludea(non-mobile)shedfortheraisingofday-oldchickstothepointofbeingreadytorange.
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Low density mobile outdoor layer flock
Low density mobile outdoor meat flock
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4. Planning permit requirements for poultry farms
InallVictorianplanningschemes,aplanningpermitisrequiredtouseanddeveloplandforapoultryfarm.Aplanningpermitcanbeappliedforinthefollowingzones:
• FarmingZone
• RuralActivityZone
• GreenWedgeZone
• GreenWedgeAZone
• RuralConservationZone
• RuralLivingZone
• UrbanGrowthZone.
Theestablishmentofanewpoultryfarms,includinglowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarms,areprohibitedinallotherzones.
When is a planning permit required for a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm?
Therequirementforaplanningpermitmayapplytoanyofthefollowing:
• existinglowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmsthatdonothaveapermitandthatdonothaveexistinguserights(seeClause63ofallplanningschemes)
• establishinganewlowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarm
• expandinganexistinglowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmtoincreaseitscapacity(includingincreasingsizeintermsofpoultrynumbersoraddingmorepoultryproductionarea).
Inadditiontozonecontrols,theremaybeotherprovisionsofaplanningscheme(forexample,overlaysandparticularprovisions)thathaveadditionalplanningpermitanddevelopmentrequirements,suchasapprovalstoremovenativevegetationandworksapproval.Applicantsareencouragedtocheckwiththeircouncilaboutwhetherotherapprovalsareneededattheplanningstage.
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5. Threshold requirements for Guidelines
Therearefourthresholdrequirementsforaccessingthesimplifiedplanningpermitprocess:
1. Production system:Thefarmmustbebasedonamobileoutdoorproductionsystem.
2. Poultry type:Thefarmmustbeapoultryfarmfortheproductionofchickenmeatorchickeneggs.
3. Farm capacity:Thefarmcapacitymustbelessthan5,000chickens(eggs)orlessthan10,000chickens(meat).Thecapacityofapoultryfarmisdescribedasthetotalnumberofpoultrythatwillbeheldonthefarm.
4. Outdoor stocking density:Theoutdoorstockingdensitymustbelessthan1,500birds/hectare.
Farm capacity or size
Planningpermitstypicallyspecifyamaximumoperatingcapacitythathasbeenapprovedunderthepermit.Thisisdescribedintermsofthetotalnumberofpoultry.
InthisGuideline,thenumberofpoultryreferstoallthebirdsbeingkeptonthefarmincludingroosters,chicks,pullets,broilerchickensorlayerhens.
Outdoor stocking density
InthisGuideline,thestockingdensityofthelandisexpressedasnumberofrangingbirdsperhectare.
This is calculated as follows:
Stocking density = the maximum number of poultry that are kept outdoors / range area accessible to the poultry (hectares)
Thestockingdensitydoesnotincludechicksbeingraisedinhousingpriortobeingoldenoughtorange.Thestockingdensitydoesnotincludeareasofthepropertywherepoultrywillnothaveaccess.
Inmostcases,rangeareaswillhaveastockingdensityatorbelow1,500birds/hectare.However,insomecases,farmsmayuseasystemwherebirdsareconfinedinsmallerareaswithahigherstockingdensity.Thebirdsandhousingaremovedfrequentlyandthepaddockrestingperiodexceedstheminimumthree-monththreshold.Thisisacceptable,providinganequivalentstockingdensitycanbeachievedandfrequentmovementofmobileinfrastructureandpoultrymaintainsadequategroundcover.
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6. Simplified planning permit assessment for a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm
Applicationsthatareassessedasbeinglowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmshavesimplifiedrequirementsforassessmentanddecision.
Keyfeaturesofthesimplifiedplanningprocessinclude:
• clearapplicationrequirements
• clearstandardstosupportdecisionsbytheresponsibleauthority
• permitapplicationsarenotadvertisedwherecertainconditionsaremet–No Notice
• thirdpartiescannotappealagainsttheplanningdecisionwherecertainconditionsaremet–No Appeal.
Allotherpoultryfarmoperationswillberequiredtofollowthenormalplanningprocess.
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7. What information should be submitted with a permit application?
Thefollowinglistprovidesplannerswiththeinformationtheyshouldexpectfromalowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmplanningpermitapplication.
Property Identification Code
Allpoultryfarmswithmorethan100poultry,includinglowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarms,musthaveaPropertyIdentificationCode(PIC),thatassistswithtraceabilityandbiosecurity.
A. Property and locality plan
A property plan showing:
• propertyboundariesanddimensionsofthesite
• paddockswherepoultrywillbekept
• sheds,includinghousingusedfortheraisingofyoungbirdspriortothembeingoldenoughtorangeoutdoors,oranypackingsheds(foreggproductionifappropriate)
• locationofanyotherfarminfrastructuresuchasfeedstorageareas
• farmbores,damsandotherwatersupplysourcesandwaterways
• mortalitymanagementarea
• significantslopeandothertopographicfeatures,remnantvegetationandareaspronetoerosion
• areaspronetoflooding
• internalandexternalroads.
A locality plan showing:
• distancestodwellingsinaseparateownershipandothersensitiveuses(includingdwellingsunderconstructionorapprovedbyaplanningorbuildingpermittobeconstructed)
• distancestowaterwaysfrompoultrypaddockboundaries
• suitablescaleanddimensions.
Asuitablyscaledanddimensionedpropertyandlocationplan,includingdistances,shouldnotrequiretheemploymentofaconsultantorsurveyor.ItcanbedevelopedusingreadilyavailableresourcessuchasfreeonlinemappingprogramssuchasLandChannel. http://www.land.vic.gov.au/
B. Description of the proposal
A briefwrittendescriptionthatdetails:
• proposednumberofpoultrytobekept(includingoffspringandthenumberofpoultrytobekeptacrossvariousproductionstages)
• theproductionsystemincluding:
– theraisingofchicks
– therangeareaandnumberofpoultrypaddocks
– management,packingandstorageofeggs(foreggfarms).
• designofthepoultryhousing,fencing,feedingandwaterinfrastructure
• designanddetailsofhousingfortheraisingofyoungbirdspriortoranging(ifapplicable)
• thepreparedfeedforpoultryandwhereitwillbestored
• managementofdeadbirds/spenthens
• aNutrientManagementPlan(NMP)thatdemonstrateshownutrientswillbemanagedandgroundcovermaintained
• strategiestominimisetheriskofpredators,pests,rodentsandwildbirds
• theplanningzonesandanyoverlaysapplyingtotheland.
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8. Assessment criteria for a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm
ThisGuidelinedefinesobjectivesandstandardsthatwillguidetheassessmentoftheplanningapplication.
Objectives:Anobjectivedescribesthedesiredoutcometobeachievedfromaproposal.Aproposalmustmeetalloftheobjectives.
Standards:Astandardcontainstherequirementstomeettheobjective.Astandardisanapproach,action,practiceormethodthatpermitapplicantsshouldincorporateintotheirdevelopmentproposaltocomplywiththeobjective.Wheretheproposalmeetsallthestandards,theapplicationisdeemedtocomplywiththeobjective.
Alternative measures:Circumstancesofaparticularproposalmayprovideaneedoranopportunitytoproposealternativewaysofmeetingtheobjectivesandstandards.Theresponsibleauthoritymayconsideranalternativedesignsolutioniftheapplicantcandemonstratethattherelevantobjectivescanstillbemetwithequivalentorsuperiorperformance.ResponsibleauthoritiesshouldconsiderproposalsthatincludenewtechnologyandinnovativeapproachesifthesecanbedemonstratedtosatisfytheobjectivesoftheGuidelines.
TheObjectivesandStandardsshouldbeconsideredasawholeasmanyoftheapprovedmeasuresareinter-related.
Objective 1 – Low risk site
Theriskofadverseenvironmentalimpactsonsoils,waterwaysandsurroundsisminimisedbyappropriatesiteselectionandthroughafarmlayoutthatavoidsareasofrisk.
Standard 1.1 Land• Thelandusedforpoultryrangingareasaresuitableforgrowingpasturesandmaintaininggroundcover.
Standard 1.2 Surface waters• Thepoultrypaddocksandotherfarminfrastructureare:
– locatedabovethe1in100-yearfloodlevel
– notlocatedinareasimpactedbyafloodzone,floodingoverlayorlandsubjecttoinundationoverlay.
• ThepoultryfarmisnotlocatedwithinaSpecialWaterSupplyCatchmentArea.
• Theboundariesofthepoultrypaddocksareatleast30mfromawaterwaydeclaredundertheWater Act 1989.
Note:Wherethismeasurecannotbemet,additionalconsiderationintheproposalmaybeneededtoaddresspotentialriskstowaterwaysandproposeadditionalriskmanagementstrategies.Smallfarmsorapplicationsproposinglowstockingdensitiesmayposeverylowrisktothewaterwaysdependingonthesite-specificfarm’slayout,thetopographyandotherconsiderations,andtheapplicationcanbesupported.Referraltotherelevantwaterauthorityorcatchmentmanagementauthoritywillassistwiththisconsideration.
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Objective 2 – Environmental protection management
Adverseimpactsonsoils,waterwaysandsurroundsareavoidedthroughgoodmanagement.
Standard 2.1 Ground cover• Aminimum50%groundcoverismaintainedoverthepoultryrangeareasatalltimes(seeAppendix Aforconsiderationofseasonalconditions).
Standard 2.2 Mobile infrastructure• Housing,feedingandwaterinfrastructurearerelocatedatleasteverytwoweekstoensurenutrientloadisevenlyspread,groundcoverisreplenishedandbirdsaccessfreshrangeareas.
Standard 2.3 No return period• Poultrydonotreturntoapreviouslyusedpoultryrangeareawithina3-monthperiod.
Standard 2.4 Nutrient Management Plan
• AnNMPthatincludesstrategiesandmeasurestoensurenutrientrisksareadequatelymanagedandmonitoredby:
– maintaining50%groundcover
– movingmobileinfrastructureandmanagingexcessmanureunderhousing(ifappropriate)
– implementinganoreturnperiodandpasturemanagement
– soiltesting,monitoringandfarmmanagement.
RefertoAppendix AforadditionalinformationregardingNutrientManagementPlans.
Objective 3 – Community amenity
Thesitelocation,designandfarmmanagementofthelowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmprotectsthecommunityfromodour,dustandotheramenityimpacts.
Standard 3.1 Separation DistancesThenearestpoultrypaddockboundaryandpoultryhousing1meetstheseparationdistanceslistedinthefollowingtable:
Poultry Numbers
Distance to Sensitive Use2
(m)
Distance to Residential
zone (m)
≤1,000poultry >50m >200
>1,000poultry >100m >400
1 includingpoultryshedsusedfortheraisingofyoungbirdspriortothembeingoldenoughtorange
2 Sensitiveuseisausethatinvolvesthepresenceofpeople,causingtheusetobesensitivetoamenityconsiderationssuchasodour,dustandnoise.Sensitiveuses(alsoreferredinotherdocumentsassensitivelanduses)includeadwelling,adependantpersonsunit,aresidentialbuilding,ahospital,aschool,adaycarecentre,acaravanparkandotherusesinvolvingthepresenceofpeopleforanextendedperiod.Sensitiveusedoesnotincluderecreational areassuchasparksandsportingfacilities.
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A good aim is to have more than 50% ground cover in a poultry paddock immediately after the flock has been removed
Mobile housing with internal feeders
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Pasture that has recovered well after a 3-month rest period
Mobile broiler chicken housing
Mobile layer chicken caravan with a 1,000 bird capacity
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9. Notice and review of applications
Givingofnoticeinvolvestheformalnotificationoftheapplicationtootherparties.Generally,whennoticeisgiven,partieshavearighttoapplytotheVictorianCivilandAdministrativeTribunalforareviewofthedecision.
Insomeinstances,proposalsareexemptfromnoticeandreviewundertheVictoria Planning Provisions.
Clause53.09oftheVictoria Planning Provisions andallplanningschemesexemptslowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmsfromnoticeandreviewifthefollowingcriteriaapply:
• thenumberofchickensdoesnotexceed5,000foreggproductionor10,000formeatproduction
• theoutdoorstockingdensitydoesnotexceed1,500birdsperhectare
• thematurechickensarekeptoutdoorsonpaddockswith:
– mobilehousingandfeedinginfrastructurethatisrelocatedatleasteverytwoweeks,and
– thepoultryrangeareamaintainsaminimumof50%groundcover.
• thesetbackrequirementsofStandard3.1aremet.
Applicationsthatmeetthespecifiedcriteriawillstillrequireaplanningpermit,butbecausetheyareconsideredtoposeverylowenvironmentalandamenityrisks,thenoticeandreviewrequirementswillnotapply.
10. Referring applications
Clause66.02oftheVictoria Planning Provisions andallplanningschemesrequiresanapplicationtobereferredtotherelevantwaterboardorwatersupplyauthorityifthelowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmisproposedwithinaSpecialWaterSupplyCatchmentArealistedinSchedule5oftheCatchment and Land Protection Act 1994andwhichprovideswatertoadomesticsupply.
ReferralofanapplicationtotherelevantwaterorcatchmentmanagementauthoritymayalsoberequiredincertainzonesandoverlaysinaccordancewithClause66.03oftheVictoria Planning Provisionsandallplanningschemes.
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11. Decision guidelines for assessing a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm planning permit application
Beforedecidingonanapplicationforalowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarm,theresponsibleauthorityshouldconsider,asappropriate:
• documentationsubmittedwiththeapplication
• compliancewiththeObjectivesandStandardsofSection8.
IfalowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmmeetsthesitingandmanagementcriteriasetoutinSection8itwillposelowrisktotheamenityandenvironment.
Appendix Aprovidesadditionalinformationforapplicantsandplannerstosupportthedevelopmentandconsiderationofaproposalandthenutrientmanagementplan.
12. Model permit conditionsPermitconditionswillalsoassisttheresponsibleauthoritytoensureafarmcontinuestomeetspecificstandardsismanagedinasatisfactorymanner.RecommendedmodelpermitconditionsaredetailedinAppendix B.
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13. Additional information
Property Identification Code
FurtherinformationofPICsandhowtoapplyforaPICcanbefoundontheAgricultureVictoriawebsite.
http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/property-identification-codes
Biosecurity
Biosecurityisasetofmeasuresorpracticesdesignedtoprotectagainsttheentryspreadofpestsanddiseases.Effectivebiosecurityisimportantforthebenefitofthefarmoperationandtheindustryasawhole.
Effectivebiosecurityisachievedthroughacombinationofmeasures,includingseparatingintensivelivestockfarmswherethisispossible.Separationbetweenneighbouringpoultryfarmsisonewaytolimittheriskofaerosoldiseasespread,althoughthismaybeimpracticalforexistingpoultryfarms.Goodbiosecuritymanagementisthefirstandbestapproachtomitigatebiosecurityrisks.AgricultureVictoriacanprovideadviceonconsiderationsfornewfarmapplicationsinproximitytoexistinglargeintensiveorsensitivepoultryfacilities.
FurtherinformationonVictorianBiosecurityGuidelinesforpoultryproducerscanbefoundontheAgricultureVictoriawebsite:
http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/animal-diseases/poultry/biosecurity-guidelines-for-poultry-producers
Otherkeyindustrydocumentsthatwillassistfarmersdevelopandimplementeffectivebiosecurityplansare:
TheCodeofPracticeforBiosecurityintheEggIndustry–2ndEdition(2015):
https://www.australianeggs.org.au/what-we-do/leading-research/biosecurity-in-the-egg-industry/
TheNationalFarmBiosecurityTechnicalManualforEggProduction(2015):
http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/National-Farm-Biosecurity-Technical-Manual-for-Egg-Production.pdf
TheNationalFarmBiosecurityManualforChickenGrowers(2010):
http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/livestock/chickens/meat-chicken-production-biosecurity/
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Appendices
Appendix A: Additional guidance for applicants and planners in the development and assessment of proposals
1. Site selectionSiteselectionisanimportantelementofavoidingamenityandenvironmentalimpacts.Themainfactorstoconsiderare:
• slope,distancetowaterways,potentialforflooding
• anystatutorylanduseplanningrestrictions
• availabilityofsufficientpasturelandareatoaccommodatethenumberofpoultryproposed
• meetingrequiredseparationdistancestosensitiveuses,residentialzonesandwaterways
• anypossiblefutureexpansionplans.
Siteselectionwillconsiderbalancingidealconditionsforbirdswhileminimisingnutrientimpacttotheenvironment.Idealsoilsaresuitableforgrowingpastures/corps,andthelandscapewillhavelowerosionriskbybeingnottoosteep.Featuresthatacceleraterunoff,suchasdrainsorgulliesneedtobemanagedinrangeareas.
2. Buffer distances from waterways Buffersbetweenthepoultrypaddockboundaryandwaterwayshelptopreventnutrienttransfersinrunofforerodedsoil.Nutrientsandsaltsleachingthroughthesoilprofilecanalsoimpactthequalityofgroundwater.Thepoultrypaddockshouldbewellseparatedfromsurfacewatercourses(suchasrivers,creeksanddams)topreventcontaminationofwaterwithsediment,nutrientsandorganicmatter.
3. Separation distances from sensitive uses and locations
Lowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmsposealowriskofodourimpactduetothelowstockingdensitiesandoutdoornatureoftheproductionsystem.ThisGuidelinessetsarecommendedseparationdistancebetweentheboundaryofthepoultrypaddockandsensitiveuses(suchasdwellings)andresidentialzonestoensuretherearenoacuteodour,noiseorvisualimpacts.
4. Poultry farm design, operation and management
Nutrient Management Plan – Guidance NotesANutrientManagementPlan(NMP)isrequiredtoensuretheriskofexcessnutrientsismanagedandmonitored.Theplanshouldcompriseevidenceofthefollowingelements:
• maintenanceof50%groundcover
• mobileinfrastructurerelocationandmanagementofexcessmanureunderhousing(ifappropriate)
• noreturnperiodandpasturemanagement
• soiltestrecordsandfarmmanagementdetails.
Maintenance of ground coverMaintainingpasturecoveriskeytofarmsustainabilityandavoidingdustandodournuisancestoneighboursandoff-sitepollution.Maintainingpasturereducestheriskoferosion,dustandimpactstowaterquality.Awell-managedpastureprovidesanopportunitytoretainandusethenutrientsfromthepoultryonsiteandavoidtheproblemsofleechingexcessnutrientsrunningoffintowaterways,groundwaterorontoneighbouringproperties.Lowstockinglevelsandfrequentrotationsallownutrientloadstoberesponsiblymanaged.
Groundcoveristheamountofplantmaterial(deadoralive)whichcoversthesoilsurface.Itisusuallyexpressedinpercentageterms–100%groundcovermeansthatthesoilcannotbeseenand0%groundcoverisbaresoil.
Refer to the Agriculture Victoria website http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/soil-and-water/erosion/groundcovering-measuring-tool
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What is 50% ground cover?50%groundcoverisestimatedasanaveragecoveracrossthepaddockthatthepoultryarehousedinattheendofthepoultryphaseinthatpaddock.Thisisnotanestimateofgroundcoveracrossthewholefarm,oracrossotherpoultrypaddocks.
Seasonalandemergencyconditionsmayimpactonafarm’sabilitytomaintaingoodgroundcover.Thesesituationsshouldbetreatedasbeingshort-termoccurrencesandtheproducershouldactivelymanagepoultrysopasturegrowthisrestoredassoonaspossible.
GuidancematerialsareprovidedattheAgricultureVictoriawebsite3tohelpfarmersestimateandrecordgroundcover.Managementpracticesthatwouldsupportmaintaining50%groundcoverinclude:
• choosingsuitablesites
• carefulselectionofgrassspecies
• lightstockingdensities
• frequentpaddockrotation
• mobileinfrastructurethatisfrequentlyrelocated
• appropriatesizepaddocksbasedonstockingdensityandrotationfrequency.
TheNMPshoulddescribehowgroundcoverwillbemonitoredovertimeandhowissueswithmaintaininggroundcoverwillbemanagediftheyarise.
Movement of mobile housing and feeders within paddocksKeytothedesignofalowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmisthatthehousing,feedingandwaterinfrastructuremustbemobile.Poultrykeptinpaddocksexhibitdistinctdungingpatterns,withmostmanurebeingdepositedinthehighuseareabeneaththemobilehousing.Asaresult,thesoilinthisareaofthepaddockhashighernutrientlevelsthanotherareas.Paddocksandfacilities(suchashousing,feeding/wateringpoints)needcarefulmanagementtoavoiduncontrolledenvironmentandamenityimpacts.
Regularlymovingtheinfrastructure(housing\feeding\water)effectivelydispersesmanurenutrientsoverthepaddockarea,reducingnutrientconcentrationandsoilerosionaroundthepaddockinfrastructure.
Aspoultryroostovernightinthemobilehousing,manureandthenutrientsitcontainscanbecomeconcentratedunderthehousingineachlocation.Forlargerhousingsystems,themanureshouldberemovedandusedat
anothersite.TheNMPneedstodescribehowthemobilefeeders,housingandwaterwillberelocatedaroundpaddocksatleasteverytwoweeks.
‘No return’ period and pasture managementThisspecificallymeansthatoncepoultryhaveleftapoultrypaddock(orareaofapaddock)theycannotreturntothatsameareaforaminimumperiodofthreemonths.Thisistoallowthepasturetorecoverandactivelygrow.Aminimumnoreturnperiodofthreemonthsisrequiredforallpoultrypaddocks.
Soil TestingSoiltestingofrepresentativepoultrymanagementareasneedstobeconductedeverytwoyears.Recordsofthesoiltestsneedtobekeptconfirmingthatthesoilnutrientsarebeingmaintainedatasuitablelevel.
TheNMPshoulddescribetheareastobesoiltested(similarsoiltype,poultryclass,stockingdensity,managementpractice)andhowtheresultswillbeusedtomonitorandadjustfarmpractice.
Further information at http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/soil-and-water/soils/sampling-soils-for-growing-pastures-field-and-fodder-crops
Farm management: Mortality managementInanylivestockproductionsystem,somemortalitiesareinevitable.Theappropriatemanagementofmortalitiescanpreventcontaminationtosurfaceandgroundwater,nuisanceodour,thespreadofinfectiousdiseaseandproblemswithvermin.Variousmethodsfordisposingofmortalitiesincludecomposting,burial,renderingandcompleteincineration.Removalbyalicencedcontractorisoptimumformortalitymanagement,otherwisecompostingorrenderingisbestforon-farm.On-farmcarcassdisposalmustmeettheEPAFarmWasteManagementguidelinesforDeadStock.
http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/~/media/Publications/IWRG641.pdf
Mortalitiesshouldberemoveddailytominimisethespreadofdisease,uncontrolledmovementofnutrientandthepotentialproductionofodour.FurtherdetailsonthemanagementofmortalitiescanbefoundinAusvetplan(2011).
https://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/what-we-do/emergency-animal-disease/ausvetplan/
3 http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/soil-and-water/erosion/groundcovering-measuring-tool
Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning Permit Guidelines 20/
Appendix B: Model permit conditions
Use must not be altered• Theuse[and/ordevelopment]asshownontheendorsedplansmustnotbealteredwithoutthewrittenconsentoftheresponsibleauthority.Theendorsedplansinclude:
– Propertyplan[dates/details]
– Localityplan[dates/details]
– NutrientManagementPlan[dates/details]
– [Otherplans-dates/details].
• Nomorethan(specifynumber)poultrymaybekeptonthesiteatanyonetimeunlesswiththewrittenconsentoftheresponsibleauthority.Allpoultrymustbekeptwithinthedefinedareaasshownontheendorsedplan.
Amenity• Theuseanddevelopmentmustbemanagedinaccordancewiththeapprovedplanssothattheamenityoftheareaisnotdetrimentallyaffected,throughthe:
– processescarriedoutontheland
– transportationoflivestock,materials,goodorcommoditiestoorfromtheland
– theemissionofodour,dust,noise,artificiallight,wastewaterorwasteproducts
– thepresenceofvermin
– othersasappropriate.
• Iftheresponsibleauthoritydeterminesthattheamenityofthenearbyresidentsisadverselyaffectedbytheemissionofanunreasonablelevelofodour,dust,ornoisefromthesite,theoperatormustimmediatelyandtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthoritytakeactiontopreventthoseemissions,whichmayincludeadjustingstockingdensity,greaterseparationdistancesbetweenthepoultryandresidents,oranyotheractionsreasonablyrequiredtorectifytheunreasonableemissions.
Waste management• Thewasteproducedfromtheusemust:
– notdischargebeyondtheboundariesofthelandordirectlyintowaterways
– tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.
• Effluentrun-offmustnotbedischargedtothe(insertnameofwaterway)atanytime.AlleffluentmustbetreatedonsiteinaccordancewiththerelevantEPArequirements.