An eight-shed broiler farm and a materials recycling facility has been proposed in a farming zone north of Shelford.
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Planning documents submitted to Golden Plains Shire Council show a 400,000 bird farm about 1.7km from the Leigh River on the Shelford-Mount Mercer Road, with the plans currently on advertising.
The documents note the nearest residential area is 12 kilometres away, and the closest "dwelling" is 160m away, but would be screened by vegetation.
The plans note a "state-of-the-art" ventilation system would be built into the sheds to provide humane conditions for the chickens, as well as preventing odour from escaping.
A full environmental management plan is included in the documents, which notes efforts would be made to keep machinery noise down, and any waste would be removed from the site, including dead birds.
A separate plan for the property proposes building a materials recycling facility - in this case, a wood chipping and mulching plant to take timber from demolition sites in Geelong and western Melbourne and create litter for chickens in the sheds two days a week.
A new dam would be built on the property, as well as several water tanks and feed siloes.
The documents state "(drinking water for the chickens) is available from captured runoff and, if necessary, utilising the water entitlements from the bore on the property and the Leigh River" - in a statement, a Golden Plains Shire Council spokesperson said the "applicant would be required to seek separate permission and permits from Southern Rural Water to install a bore or use water from the Leigh River".
"The application has also been referred by Council to the Corangamite Catchment Authority, Environment Protection Agency, and Southern Rural Water for comment," they added.
The applicant, through the planning consultant, was approached for comment.
The planning documents conclude the farm "fully compl(ies)" with requirements and is "appropriate for the site".
"(T)he proposed development will not impact upon the environment via the emission of noise, generation of dust or odour, impacts upon water quality or flows or on visual amenity," it states.
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The full document is available online through council's planning website - council noted "community members can make a submission or objection until February 17".
There are several large broiler farms in Golden Plains Shire, though most are closer to Lethbridge and Meredith.
In 2020, the area was quarantined following an outbreak of avian influenza.
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