This parliamentary question seeks information on protections for land stakeholders and groundwater near poultry farms, particularly concerning dust, health risks, environmental impacts, and manure management. The response defers regulation to local governments and references planning policies and a code of practice.

AnsweredQoN 753Legislative Council
Asked
19 February 2014
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

(1) What protections are afforded to land stakeholders on properties adjacent to poultry farms in terms of: (a) dust blown from poultry farms; (b) health risks from particulate matter in this dust; (c) environmental impacts to land; and (d) environmental impacts to ground water? (2) What protections are in place for ground water on and near the proposed poultry farm in Gingin? (3) What protections are in place concerning the accumulation of manure on site? (4) How are stable flies and other biting flies to be managed on a site containing poultry manure?

AnswerView source ↗

Answered
12 March 2014
Responded by
Minister for Mental Health representing the Minister for Environment
Response time
21 days
The Minister for the Environment has provided the following response:
(1)-(4) The regulation of poultry farms is a matter for local governments.
The Western Australian Planning Commission's Statement of Planning Policy No. 4.3 Poultry Farms Policy (2003) and the Western Australian Broiler Growers Association and the Poultry Farmers Association of Western Australia Environmental Code of Practice for Poultry Farms in Western Australia (2004) sets out procedures for ensuring that an adequate buffer is provided between the existing residential dwellings and the proposed poultry farm.
The Western Australian Planning Commission's Statement of Planning Policy specifically states under section 5.6 that "because of the potential for nuisance it is not appropriate to permit poultry farming 'as a right' in the rural zone. New poultry farms should be classified as a discretionary use in the rural zone or included in a separate Special Use zone and generally be a prohibited use in other zones".

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