Fire ire: Residents’ group vice-president Ian Thurston with supporters.
Camera IconFire ire: Residents’ group vice-president Ian Thurston with supporters. Credit: Supplied/Andrew Ritchie

Code restricts caged egg numbers

Staff ReporterNorth Coast Times

Elected members unanimously agreed on April 30 to refer back the report on what is classed an offensive trade.

This was after administration said the applicant, Barry Cocking, wanted them to delete part of a condition restricting the total number of chickens to 150,000.

Cr Dianne Guise asked for an explanation and community development director Karen Caple said it was because the number was restricted by the Code of Practice for Poultry.

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‘I would like to know what the code says then because I’m uncomfortable with removing this limit,’ Cr Guise said.

Cr Frank Cvitan asked whether it would ‘open the flood gates’ for the applicant to increase the number of sheds on the Carabooda Road property.

Councillors deferred their decision to later in the meeting while administration looked up the code, and returned to it after considering other reports.

Ms Caple said the code restricted the number of chickens based on the floor size of the sheds, and administration would need more time to calculate the exact numbers permitted on that property.

Cr Brett Treby moved a motion to refer it back and have it considered at another meeting, which Cr Stuart Mackenzie seconded and elected members supported unanimously.

Last week, the Times reported that administration would recommend approval with 16 conditions, despite the 8.1ha property not meeting Health Act requirements to locate chicken sheds at least 100m from the boundaries and on properties of at least 20ha.

Mr Cocking bought the property in 2009 and has since modified it from chicken meat production to egg production.