With the closing date for submissions on a controversial feedlot proposal for Mangrove Mountain extended by a week to June 13, Animal Liberation added its voice to a swell of community opposition and urged last-minute submissions.
Residents of the area have had several meetings encouraging submissions in opposition to the proposal, which would see up to 400 cattle housed in two sheds with many saying it would be unsustainable and unsuitable for the local community.
Among residents’ concerns are noise, water, dust and odour pollution, with a petition protesting the development attracting almost 2,000 signatures.
Australia’s longest running animal rights organisation urged last-minute submissions in the interest of animal welfare.
Animal Liberation’s Regional Campaign’s Manager, Lisa Ryan, said opposing “harmful developments” was just one of the many things the organisation did, and has done for more than four decades; to ensure better outcomes for animals, the environment and local communities.
“We have always been at the forefront of this type of opposition,” she said.
“Increasingly, NSW communities approach Animal Liberation because they have been ignored by their local council, government agencies or departments, their MP or government.
“Where possible, we will always provide a level of support, energy and guidance, based on our experience and expertise.
“We frequently step up where others have failed.”
Ryan said the organisation was “thrilled” at the response to its appeal for last-minute submissions.
“The contribution by our supporters is always very strong because they care about a range of issues across animals, the environment and people,” she said.
“We always collaborate effectively with all key stakeholders across community concerns including Aboriginal culture and heritage, animal welfare and biodiversity issues and general environmental issues.
“We look at all the risks, impacts and cumulative impacts which are always associated with all types of intensive animal agriculture.
“While the proposed feedlot is a local development, the inherent issues impact all NSW residents.
“You only need to look at the large scale consequences of the ‘chicken’ industry with both broiler chicken meat and egg farms to see the havoc they have wreaked across the Central Coast and across NSW.
“The public opposes intensive animal agriculture.”
Ryan said of special concern was a water licence application which was central to the planning proposal and assessment.
“Over the past decade we have watched with increasing concern the former state government and departments literally rubber stamp every water licence application, including in regions where there was a scarcity of surface and groundwater and significant environmental concerns,” she said.
“This has to stop – it’s not a never-ending supply.”
Ryan said intensive animal agri-businesses were spreading and festering across the landscape – harming millions of animals, destroying the environment and hurting rural communities in which they are situated.
“Our appalling animal welfare laws and inadequate planning laws are actually facilitating and fast tracking this spread and it’s time the NSW State Government listened and acted,” she said.
With submissions closing on June 13, Central Coast Council will now move to the next stage of consideration for the proposal.
Source:
Animal Liberation