City of Wanneroo: no support for new Ingham’s licence

The animal feed manufacturer has applied to the Department of Environment Regulation to renew its existing licence, which expires in October.

Councillors will decide at next week’s meeting whether to endorse the administration’s recommendation to reject the application.

Ingham’s was granted a one-year licence last year despite the City writing to the department twice opposing it.

Planning and sustainability acting director Mark Dickson told members at Tuesday’s briefing session that following a council resolution last October, the mayor and chief executive had met with State Environment Minister Albert Jacob to discuss a joint exit strategy for Ingham’s.

He said the meeting was “not conclusive” and discussions were ongoing.

Mr Dickson said the City had also consulted with Ingham’s regarding the strategy, which would require planning changes.

“Consultants are still working on preparing the local structure plan,” he said.

Reasons given for not supporting the application included concern for the effect on nearby areas caused by pollution, odour and noise from trucks leaving and entering the premises.

A City report said council had not supported the continued operation of the feedmill and related processes since 2004.

“It is administration’s view that this facility is no longer appropriate within a growing town centre and that the reissuing of the licence should only be considered if subject to a binding exit strategy,” it said.

The report also said if the licence was granted on this basis, the facility’s operating hours should be reduced in the interim.