ABN – 39 109503 835
Intensive Agriculture Study
Yarra Ranges Council
October 2014
prepared by
Tony Pitt
Des Williams
Ag-Challenge Consulting
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
1.
Background and Objectives for this Study
Yarra Ranges’ Council is considering changes to its planning scheme to expand the areas in the
municipality where intensive animal husbandry may be allowed subject to a planning permit. Within
the current provisions of the scheme intensive animal husbandry is a prohibited land use in a
number of rural areas including the Green Wedge Zone Schedules 1, 2 and 3 areas.
By ‘planning scheme’ definition, intensive animal husbandry means the keeping and care of
agricultural animals where the primary food source is brought in from outside the holding area, as
opposed to grazing on the land. Grazing or foraging on the land is defined as ‘extensive animal
husbandry.’ With changing agricultural practices this definition of intensive animal husbandry now
encompasses a variety of agricultural pursuits, and possibly beyond what was originally envisioned.
In considering any future changes to its planning scheme, Council wants to consider the current and
emerging farming enterprises that would come under the current definition of ‘intensive animal
husbandry’ and the implications of any changes to its current planning scheme. The Council does not
want the provisions of the planning scheme to impose unnecessary constraints on emerging
industries. This report aims to identify some of these emerging industries and examine the present
controls other than planning that impact on the operation of the enterprise. The list of enterprises
considered is not comprehensive but is of sufficient scope to identify where constraints may and
may not exist, and what steps can be taken to reduce constraints were this is deemed appropriate.
Yarra Ranges Council would also like to consider the implications of the existing definition of
intensive animal husbandry and whether there are other definitions that are more appropriate or
more current. Any change to the definition would reflect the changes in farming systems. This will
assist Council in future discussions with the State Government about the current land use definitions
and Codes of Practice to facilitate a more streamlined approach to agriculture and planning.
2.
Current Planning Provisions
The following provisions of the Yarra Ranges Council Planning Scheme relevant to this project are:
 The Yarra Ranges Planning scheme is guided by the Upper Yarra Valley and Dandenong
Ranges Regional Strategy Plan
 Relevant sections of the Planning Scheme considered are:
a. The Green Wedge Zone – sets out a range of purposes
i. Schedule 1 – GWZ 1
ii. Schedule 2 – GWZ 2
iii. Schedule 3 - GWZ 3
b. Green Wedge A Zone – prohibits intensive animal husbandry
c. Rural Conservation Zone – prohibits intensive animal husbandry
 The Planning Scheme sets out in Clause 74 Land Use Terms – definition with associated
Nesting Diagram Clause 75
 The definition sets out “intensive” animal husbandry - “Land used to keep or breed farm
animals, including birds, by importing most food1 from outside the enclosure …and includes:
Broiler animal production
Cattle feedlots
 Within the Schedule to Clause 53.01and under the heading “Intensive Animal Industries” the
schedule states that land must not be used for intensive animal industries This applies to the
3 areas considered above (a, b, c)
1
The term most food is deemed to mean when more than 50% of the feed requirement comes from outside
the farm area. A further refinement of this can be where it comes from outside the enclosure which houses
the animals. That is the food is grown on the farm but harvested and transported to the areas where the
animals are kept.
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
1
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
Extensive animal husbandry is able to operate across these areas (a – no permit, b – no permit, c –
permit required)
3.
Overview of Intensive Animal Industries
Agriculture is dynamic and farms and farming practices change and will continue to change into the
future as they respond to markets, consumers, environmental constraints, new farming technologies
and their own financial sustainability. One change is the emergence of different forms of farming
enterprises responding to an increasing number of consumers wanting food that has attributes such
as organic, free range, produced locally to where it will be consumed and is environmentally and
ethically responsible. National and various regional food strategies recognise these changes as an
opportunity to diversify the mix and form of agricultural enterprises within a region, connecting
consumers to the food production system and linking this to regional food tourism. There are
opportunities to meet domestic demand as well as overseas demand.
However, in some cases these different forms of farming enterprise do not fit easily into current
descriptions and definitions used to describe certain forms of agricultural activity. This is particularly
true for animal industries, as new types of enterprises may blur between the definition of intensive
and extensive, notably free range animal production systems. Any uncertainty as to what constitutes
an intensive animal industry has implications for local councils and the interpretation of state and
local sections of planning schemes.
Traditional production based agriculture, in most cases, has a consistency to the farming system e.g.
dairy and beef (breeding or finishing) production based on rain fed or irrigated pasture production
with limited off-farm feed being brought into the system. Beef production in this form is the Yarra
Ranges largest animal industry, with only a few dairy farms remaining in the area. In Victoria other
‘meat’ industries predominantly involve the production of pigs, goats, veal and deer. The pork and
goat industries are the largest in terms of value and volume.
While many of these livestock species are produced by commercial businesses, large numbers –
particularly goats and pigs – are kept on hobby farms. In 2010, an estimated 6,039 properties had
goats, pigs, alpaca or deer, but only about half of these were commercial operations. Domestic
interest in meats such as pork, chevron (goat meat) and venison has increased in recent years. This
has been linked to changes in the ethnic composition of Australia's population and an expansion in
the tastes and preferences of consumers. Such livestock can be farmed in both extensive or
intensive systems with a range of variations within these terms e.g. free range pigs where all
breeding and suckling animals are housed and only grower animals are allowed free range or goat
production where breeding stock are run as an extensive system while young stock are finished in a
semi-intensive system to specific slaughter weights.
While the production of various bird meats (chicken, turkey, pheasant, emu or ostrich) will in all
cases take the form of an ‘intensive’ farming system with the bulk of feed brought onto the farm, the
level of intensity does vary, and some free range systems provide a much lower risk of
environmental problems. Broiler production – chicken meat - is the largest of these industries
operating across Victoria. There is an increasing number of smaller enterprises operating ‘free
range’ chicken meat production systems. This is also true for egg production. Again these systems
have various forms, but all would be deemed ‘intensive’ as most feed consumed by the animals is
from outside the property. All these production systems would thus be a prohibited use within the
Green Wedge Zone schedules 1 – 3 and would require a permit in the Green Wedge Zone.
Free range production systems can take various forms and what constitutes ‘free range’ is contested
and unclear – with the main issue being stocking density. Within the poultry and egg production
industries, ‘truth’ in labelling as to how the meat or eggs were produced is an ongoing debate with
large retailers and animal rights groups seeking greater clarity of what a term like ‘free range’
means. In the mind of a consumer the meaning may be quite different to what happens on the farm.
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
2
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
It is apparent that the terms and definitions used within the State Planning Scheme do not reflect
the current diversity in animal husbandry enterprises.
There are several factors that must be met for any intensive animal industry;




Guaranteed access to water at the right quality and quantity;
Climatic conditions in a range conducive to animal production;
Access to a low cost reliable feed source; and
Transportable distance to processing works.
Within this context the following enterprises would normally fall within the definition of being an
intensive animal industry and thus be a prohibited land use in the Green wedge Zone Schedules 1 3. This list has no particular order of priority and is not comprehensive:
Free range chicken
Free range egg production
Intensive goat farming for meat
White veal
Free range pig farming
Turkey farming
Emu farming
Pheasant farming
Ostrich farming
Farmed Rabbit
Goat dairy
Sheep dairy
Free range duck
Vealer finishing – semi feedlot
Cattle feedlot
Barn laid and shed laid egg production
Chicken meat production (shed production)
Super fine wool merino in housed production
There are other enterprises that are commonly encountered on smallholdings where the stocking
rates are high and as such the farming system appears to be intensive animal husbandry. However
these enterprises below are essentially pasture based production systems, and either the feed
maintenance requirement of the animals is low, or the management practice uses saved paddock
feed to run large numbers of stock for short periods, giving the appearance of intensive animal
husbandry. These systems would not usually be an intensive animal industry under the definition:
Vealer finishing – pasture based
Alpacca farming
Dairy heifer finishing
Cashmere goat farming
Holding pens for abattoirs or saleyards ( Note: abattoirs and saleyards are classified as separate land
uses – not included in Intensive animal husbandry).
Within the list of intensive animal industries, the first ten enterprises have been examined in more
detail. For each enterprise a tabular list has been prepared of the overall description of the industry
and the enterprise, any current trends, lists of the various constraints and Industry Codes of Practice
that impact on the enterprise, examine the environmental issues and planning constraints, and the
options to address these issues. This has been provided in the following tables.
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
3
Enterprise
Free Range
Pig
Production
Description of Enterprise
 A free range pig herd is
rotated on pastures or
cropland.
 There are variations to the
production system across
farms e.g. sows farrow in a
shed, piglets grow and are
weaned in open paddock,
growers may be finished in
shelters
 Free-range pigs are typically
kept in distinct groups based
on age, sex, size, and stage of
pregnancy
 They receive the majority of
their nutritional needs from
prepared feed in the form of
a grain ration
 In the Yarra Ranges area it
would be sourced from off
the farm
 Paddocks where the pigs are
run, would provide pasture or
forage as some level of
supplementary feed
 'Free-range' implies that
animals are not confined in
enclosures - they may be fed
in a shed, but normally have
free access to paddocks
 Free range systems require
specific environmental and
climatic requirements thus
limiting where they can be
located
 Preferable geographical areas
for free-range pig farming are
those with low rainfall
(suggested less than 750 mm
a year) or moderate rainfall
throughout the year with no
excessive heat in summer
Most management practices of
free-range piggeries are
similar to those of fully
housed piggeries
Current Status of the
Industry
 Around 5 % of pigs
grown in Australia are
raised on free range
farms
 From 2010 to 2011,
the number of
farming
establishments with
pigs declined by 23 %
 As of 30 June 2011,
there were 450
establishments in
Victoria with a total of
505,055 pigs, a 0.95 %
reduction in pig
numbers over the
previous year
Current Location of
Production & Trends
 Victoria has 22% of
Australia’s 2.28m pigs
 Victoria's pig farms are
concentrated in the
Loddon, Goulburn,
Wimmera and Mallee
regions (85.5%of
production)
 Areas with concentrated
rainfall patterns, combined
with extremes of humidity
and/or air temperature
(particularly prolonged
extremes), are likely to
cause stress in pigs
 The past decades trend has
been for less piggeries but
with larger numbers
 Between 2009 and 2011,
the number of pigs
slaughtered in Victoria
increased by 20.6 per cent
 In 2010 83% of breeding
sow herds were found on
farms with less than 100
sows and 3.6 % were found
on pig farms with 1,000 or
more sows
 Large farms account for
almost half of the Victorian
herd
 Pig farms holding less than
100 sows are sometimes
referred to as
'opportunistic' producers,
with herd sizes fluctuating,
depending on prices for
pigs relative to other
commodities
Minimum Holding Size /
Stocking Rates
Victorian code of practice for
piggeries sets out the stocking
rates and area required for
both housed and free range
pigs outdoors:
Space allowances for outdoor
systems. Maximum stocking
rate recommendations in
paddocks
20-25
Dry sows
sows/ha
9-14
Lactating sows
sows/ha
with piglets
Feeding facilities are included
in this allowance.
 The amount of land
required to operate a freerange piggery will be
determined on a nutrient
mass balance approach
and is influenced by
climate, soil type, cropping
regimes within any
keeping areas, land
topography, pasture cover
and SPU number kept
within the areas
 On-site vegetative buffer
zones around sensitive
sites are required, as well
appropriate separation
between neighbours and
the pig keeping activity.
 Queensland DPI provide
an on-line calculation “the
Free Range Piggery
Assessment spreadsheet”
which allows entering the
details of a proposed freerange piggery and
calculate the required
area needed to
accommodate a number
of pigs
Codes of Practice &
Regulatory Controls
 Victorian Pig Welfare
Standards and
Guidelines.
 Code of Practice for
Piggeries 1992. A
planning code
instructing farmers on
how to set up their
piggery.
 Code of Practice for the
Land Transport of Pigs
 Code of Practice for the
welfare of livestock at
sale yards
 Traceability - Property
Identification Codes for
Pig Owners
 The National
Environmental
Guidelines for Piggeries
provide a general
framework for
managing
environmental issues
Victorian State Planning
Scheme
 Yarra Ranges Planning
Scheme
 Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Act
 Impounding of
Livestock Act (ILA)
 Livestock Management
Act
 Environmental
Protection Act
 Port Phillip & Western
Port Catchment
Management Plan
Potential Environmental &
Amenity Issues
 Free-range piggeries should be
located on relatively flat land
with a gradient and soil type
that will minimise soil, and
therefore nutrient, erosion
from the pig keeping areas to
adjacent surface waters
 Site topography is a critical
issue to managing off-site
impacts
 Free Range pigs should not be
exposed to land with chemical
contaminated soil (e.g. DDT or
dieldrin)
 The stocking rate should reflect
the biophysical capacity of the
property to undertake an
environmentally sustainable
business
 E.g. accommodate the herd - to
assimilate the nitrogen and
phosphorus deposited by the
pig herd on the pig keeping
areas.
 Piggeries should be sited with
an adequate separation
distance to address amenity
concerns
 Specifically, odor, dust and
noise from the operation must
not adversely impact upon
neighbouring properties and
communities
 A well-established and
maintained vegetative buffer
zone can improve visual
amenity, odor dispersion and
reduce dust and noise.
Planning
Constraints
 Piggeries – housed
or free range are
not noted in the
Agriculture nesting
Diagram but would
be captured in
section 2 of GWZ –
intensive animal
husbandry ‘ other
than’ broiler or
feedlot – a catch
all statement .
 In some cases
animals may be
slaughtered at an
approved abattoir
but the carcasses
are returned to
the property for
processing and
direct sale. This
processing falls
under the
definition of ‘rural
industry’ and
would be
permitted in the
GWZ
 All piggeries,
whether housed or
free range, fall into
the planning
definition of
‘intensive animal
husbandry’
Options to Address Issues
 Changes to the Schedule to
clause 53 to allow intensive
animal husbandry with a
permit
 Add to the definition of
intensive animal industry to
specifically have a group
called ‘other’ giving
examples of these; free
range pig, poultry or other
free range bird production
 Council could approve a
planning permit for free
range piggeries with the
following permit
conditions:
 A detailed and
comprehensive
Environmental
Management Plan (EMP)
for the rotational free
range piggery
 The EMP would include the
methodology of calculation
of the minimum ground
cover of 75% required to be
maintained on operational
areas of the rotational
piggery
 EMP would include detailed
sustainable pasture
management and animal
husbandry management
which will ensure that odor
problems will not arise.
 EMP would also address
how effluent management,
odor and fly amenity issues
would be addressed by
ongoing management.
 The Guidelines for Biosolids
Application to Land could
be used to minimise the
risk of nitrogen and
phosphorus pollution to
soils, surface waters and
groundwater
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
Enterprise
Free Range
Egg
Production
Description of Enterprise
 There are three main
production systems used to
produce eggs; caged, barnlaid and free-range.
 The three systems of egg
production are guided by the
National Model code of
practice for the welfare of
animals - domestic poultry
4th edition
 Free range production
systems provide birds with
the ability to range or move
around in both indoor and
outdoor areas
 Birds can nest, dust bathe,
perch and move freely. Birds
are also exposed to both
natural and artificial lighting.
 Free range commercial sheds
range from 2000 to 10,000
birds. The semi commercial
backyard industry has shed
sizes from 100 to 2000 birds.
Some small free range
systems have mobile shelters
that can be moved around to
allow rotation of the range
area
 All systems require the
majority of feed to be bought
onto the farm
 Free range production is
more costly for a number of
reasons including the greater
area of land and labour
required per bird
 Free range egg production
would come under the
current definition of
‘intensive animal husbandry’
Current Status of the
Industry
 Over the 13 years to
2009-10, the number
of farms where the
primary activity was
the production of eggs
in Victoria declined
from 145 to 86(within
ABAR definitions –
would not capture
small producers)
 This reflected
consolidation and
concentration of
production within the
industry
 Victorian egg
production increased
gradually in the early
2000's before
stabilising at between
60 and 80 million
dozen per year. Gross
value of egg
production for human
consumption in
Victoria in 2009-10
was $108.7 million
Current Location of
Production & Trends
 The last decade has seen
egg products become
increasingly differentiated
by production methods,
creating opportunities for
growers and egg
companies and increasing
choices for consumers
 About 28% of eggs sold in
Australia are produced
from free range systems
(65% cage, 7% barn)
 There are a number of
voluntary egg production
accreditation schemes
operating in Australia
 Egg producers can choose
which scheme to be
accredited with
 The major problem is that
in Australia there is no
legal national definition of
the term 'free
range' which makes
it impossible to maintain
accountability in the
industry (recent ACCC
court case in NSW)
 Victoria's chicken egg
production is located
predominantly in the
Barwon, Melbourne,
Loddon and Gippsland
regions
 The increasing desire for
choice from consumers has
opened up new
opportunities for growers
and egg companies to be
innovative and to
differentiate their products
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
Minimum Holding Size /
Stocking Rates
 Stocking rates are a
contested area within the
industry, with various
commercial and animal
welfare groups having
differing interpretations
e.g. 1500 to 10,000 /
hectare
 Free-range egg standards
in the Model Code include
the following.
 hens have access to an
outdoor area (range)
during daylight hours for a
minimum of eight hours
per day, shaded areas and
shelter from rain and
windbreaks
 there is a maximum of
1500 hens per hectare,
however, higher numbers
are acceptable if hens are
regularly rotated onto
fresh range areas and
continuing fodder cover is
provided
 As hens are housed in
sheds when not out on the
range, the Model Code
sets out guidelines for the
maximum number of hens
that can be housed and
this applies to both freerange and barn laid
systems of production.
5
Codes of Practice &
Regulatory Controls
 Animal Welfare and the
Model Code - National
 Victorian Food Act
1984 (reference to on
farm production)
 November 2012 National Primary
Production and
Processing Standard for
Eggs and Egg Product
 More than 100 birdsthe farm is legally
required to have a PIC
under the Livestock
Disease Control Act
1994.
 Yarra Ranges Planning
Scheme
 Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Act
 Livestock Management
Act
 Environmental
Protection Act
 Port Phillip & Western
Port Catchment
Management Plan
 Biosecurity for Poultry
Production
 Comment: Under
planning, biosecurity,
animal welfare and
environmental
requirements free
range poultry have the
same legal
responsibilities as cages
or barn production
systems
Potential Environmental &
Amenity Issues
 Free-range poultry should be
located on relatively flat land
with a gradient and soil type
that will minimise soil, and
therefore nutrient, erosion
from the poultry keeping areas
to adjacent surface waters
 Site topography is a critical
issue to managing off-site
impacts
 Free Range poultry should not
be exposed to land with
chemical contaminated soil
(e.g. DDT or dieldrin)
 The stocking rate should reflect
the biophysical capacity of the
property to undertake an
environmentally sustainable
business
 E.g. accommodate the flock to
assimilate the nitrogen and
phosphorus deposited
 The poultry system should be
sited with an adequate
separation distance to address
amenity concerns
 Specifically, odour, dust and
noise from the operation must
not adversely impact upon
neighbouring
properties/communities
Planning
Constraints
 Egg production –
housed or free
range is not noted
in the Agriculture
nesting Diagram (
definition) but
would be captured
in the section 2 of
GWZ – intensive
animal husbandry ‘
other than’ broiler
or feedlot – a
catch all statement
 Planning scheme
makes no
reference or
determination on
egg production
systems or number
of birds that would
fall within
requirements for
planning
 DPI use 100 birds
as a trigger for
registration of a
PIC number. This
could be used by
Council as a means
of determining the
number of birds
that would trigger
the need for a
planning permit
 It would be
assumed that the
majority of egg
production
systems, caged,
free range or
variations within
these definitions
require the
majority of feed to
come from off the
farm.
Options to Address Issues
 Changes to the Schedule to
clause 53 to allow intensive
animal husbandry with a
permit
 Add to the definition of
intensive to specifically
have a group called ‘other’
giving examples of these;
free range poultry with
flocks greater than 100
birds
 Council could approve a
planning permit for free
range poultry with the
following permit
conditions:
 A detailed and
comprehensive
Environmental
Management Plan (EMP)
for the rotational free
range system
 A EMP would include the
methodology of calculation
of the minimum ground
cover of 75% required to be
maintained on operational
areas of the flock
 EMP would include detailed
sustainable pasture
management and animal
husbandry management
which will ensure that odor
problems will not arise
 The Guidelines for Biosolids
Application to Land could
be used to minimise the
risk of nitrogen and
phosphorus pollution to
soils, surface waters and
groundwater
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
Enterprise
Free Range
Chicken
Meat
Description of Enterprise
 Free-range chicken meat
comes from chickens that
have access to an outdoor
area during the day. At night,
free-range chickens are kept
in sheds or barns.
 Birds can nest, dust bathe,
perch and move freely.
 This is unlike traditional
broiler production with birds
permanently housed.
 In all other respects free
range meat chickens are
produced using similar
management, housing and
feeding practices as
conventional meat chickens.
 Conditions on free-range
farms vary greatly. On some
farms, the range area is large,
provides grass for foraging,
has access to shade and
shelter, and all birds are able
to come and go from the
range during the day; on
others, the range area may
be a limited fenced area with
minimal amenity for birds.
 The time birds are allowed
out of the shed can vary
greatly e.g. 2to 8 hours.
 All systems require the
majority of feed to be bought
onto the farm.
 Free range production is
more costly for a number of
reasons including the greater
area of land and labour
required per bird.
 Free range chicken meat
production would come
under the current definition
of ‘intensive animal
husbandry.
Current Status of the
Industry
 The chicken meat
industry ids vertically
integrated from
producer to
wholesaler through a
small number of
companies (Inghams,
Steggles, Golden
Poultry, Eatmore
Poultry)
 In 2010-11, Australian
per capita
consumption rose to
43.9kg and the total
consumer expenditure
related to chicken
meat in its various
forms is estimated to
be $5.6 billion
 There are several
large players in the
industry e.g. Lillydale
Poultry that produce a
‘free range product’.
 Despite the
dominance of the
major companies,
there is an increasing
number of smaller
free range poultry
meat enterprises.
Current Location of
Production & Trends
 In 1963 Australians ate an
average of 4.2kg of chicken
a year. By 2010 that figure
has increased tenfold,
making chicken the most
popular meat in Australia.
This huge shift in
consumption is due to a
combination of supply and
demand factors.
 Within this, free range
chicken meat has until
recently been a specialty
product.
 Demand for free range
chicken has grown
significantly. Five years ago
free range chicken could
most accurately be
described as a cottage
industry. In a relatively
short period of time it
has grown to be around 15
per cent of the total
market
 In terms of demand for
free range chicken, based
on trends oversees and in
the Australian table egg
market, it is expected that
free range will grow to
become between 20 per
cent and 25 per cent of the
total market
 The main driver for
location is the proximity to
processing works (required
to be 100ks or less )
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
Minimum Holding Size /
Stocking Rates
 Stocking rates is a
contested area within the
industry, with various
commercial and animal
welfare groups having
differing interpretations
e.g. 1500 to 140,000 birds
per hectare
6
Codes of Practice &
Regulatory Controls
 Australian Codes of
Practice for the Welfare
of Animals (including
the Model Codes of
Practice for the Welfare
of Animals Domestic
Poultry, Land Transport
of Poultry, and
Livestock at
Slaughtering
Establishments
 National Animal
Welfare Standards for
the Chicken Meat
Industry
 Australia New Zealand
Food Standards Code
(the Code) under the
FSANZ Act 1991. The
processing and
marketing of chicken
meat is governed by
the Code
 Yarra Ranges Planning
Scheme
 Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Act
 Livestock Management
Act
 Environmental
Protection Act
 Port Phillip & Western
Port Catchment
Management Plan
 Biosecurity for Poultry
Production Comment:
Under planning,
biosecurity, animal
welfare, food safety
and environmental
requirements free
range poultry have the
same legal
responsibilities as a
broiler farm.
Potential Environmental &
Amenity Issues
 Free-range poultry should be
located on relatively flat land
with a gradient and soil type
that will minimise soil, and
therefore nutrient, erosion
from the poultry keeping areas
to adjacent surface waters
 Site topography is a critical
issue to managing off-site
impacts
 Free Range poultry should not
be exposed to land with
chemical contaminated soil
(e.g. DDT or dieldrin)
 The stocking rate should reflect
the biophysical capacity of the
property to undertake an
environmentally sustainable
business
 E.g. accommodate the flock to
assimilate the nitrogen and
phosphorus deposited
 The poultry system should be
sited with an adequate
separation distance to address
amenity concerns
 Specifically, odour, dust and
noise from the operation must
not adversely impact upon
neighbouring
properties/communities
Planning
Constraints
 Broiler production
e.g. chicken meat
is defined in the
Planning Scheme
 The scheme does
not referrer to free
range chicken
meat production –
which would still
fall under the
definition of
‘intensive animal
husbandry
 It would be
assumed the same
planning would
apply to free range
as for broiler (and
also to caged, barn
or free range egg
systems – each
system faces the
same
environmental and
amenity issues
 As such would be
captured in the
section 2 of GWZ –
intensive animal
husbandry ‘ other
than’ broiler or
feedlot – a catch
all statement
(subject to 52.31)
Currently broiler
farms are
prohibited under
the provisions of
Clause 53 as part
of Intensive
Animal husbandry.
Options to Address Issues
 Changes to the Schedule to
clause 53 to allow intensive
animal husbandry with a
permit
 Add to the definition of
intensive to specifically
have a group called ‘other’
giving examples of these;
free range poultry with
flocks greater than 100???
 Council could approve a
planning permit for free
range poultry with the
following permit
conditions:
 A detailed and
comprehensive
Environmental
Management Plan (EMP)
for the rotational free
range system
 A EMP would include the
methodology of calculation
of the minimum ground
 cover of 75% required to be
maintained on operational
areas of the flock
 EMP would include detailed
sustainable pasture
management and animal
husbandry management
which will ensure that odor
problems will not arise
• The Guidelines for Biosolids
Application to Land could
be used to minimise the
risk of nitrogen and
phosphorus pollution to
soils, surface waters and
groundwater
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
Enterprise
White Veal
Description of Enterprise
 White veal comes from milk
fed young calves in housed
systems.
 This form of veal production
is geared to high end
restaurants and some
consumers value and are
prepared to pay a high price
for the product
 The production system in
Victoria uses calves from the
states large dairy industry
 Most production comes from
three to four day old dairy
calves (mix of sex and breed
e.g. dairy beef cross calves)
sent direct for slaughter.
Some opportunistic
production can also develop
where these calves are
purchased to be grown out.
 Calves are generally reared in
groups in sheds (some with
access to pasture) and fed
milk or milk replacer. This
specialist calf-rearing method
results in rose (pink) veal.
 Holding of calves in rearing
crates is not allowed in
Australia
 Almost 70% of veal feeds (by
weight) are milk products.
Most popular are whey and
whey protein concentrate
(WPC), byproducts of the
manufacture of cheese.
 Larger white veal calves are
slaughtered before they
reach 18–20 weeks of age,
200 to 230 kg
Current Status of the
Industry
 Very Limited data
available, ABS data
combines both beef
and veal data – so
unable to separate.
The definition for veal
would also include
bobby calves
slaughtered.
 The industry is
growing. In 2010 to
2011 44,137 tons of
veal was produced in
Australia, up 14,000
tons from 2006. This is
32% growth in five
years.
Current Location of
Production & Trends
 There are several large
specialist white veal
producers in Australia
promoting their product
(web info).
 However, there are also
increasing numbers of
smaller opportunistic
producers who move into
the industry when price
signals are profitable.
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
Minimum Holding Size /
Stocking Rates
 The stocking density of
pens or yards must take
into account age, size,
behavioral needs,
movement and feeding
patterns of cattle. In any
event, an absolute
minimum space
 In the case of housed
animals an absolute
minimum of 2.5m2 must
be provided for each
animal (reference code of
acceptable farming
practice for the
management of cattle –
DPI)
 Usually no more than 20
to 30 calves should be
placed in a single pen
7
Codes of Practice &
Regulatory Controls
 Australian Animal
Welfare Standards and
Guidelines. referred to
as the Land Transport
Standards has specific
requirements for bobby
calves
 The Victorian Code for
Cattle Feedlots
 Livestock Management
Act 2010
 Land Transport
Standards - Saleyards
 Code of Acceptable
Framing Practice for
Management of Cattle
 Yarra Ranges Planning
Scheme
 Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Act
 Livestock Management
Act
 Environmental
Protection Act
 Port Phillip & Western
Port Catchment
Management Plan
Potential Environmental &
Amenity Issues
 White veal production systems
should be located on relatively
flat land with a gradient and
soil type that will minimise soil,
and therefore nutrient, erosion
from the animal keeping areas
to adjacent surface waters
 Site topography is a critical
issue to managing off-site
impacts
 The stocking rate should reflect
the biophysical capacity of the
property to undertake an
environmentally sustainable
business
 E.g. accommodate the animals
to assimilate the nitrogen and
phosphorus deposited from the
housed system
 The housed production system
should be sited with an
adequate separation distance
to address amenity concerns
 Specifically, odour, dust and
noise from the operation must
not adversely impact upon
neighbouring
properties/communities
Planning
Constraints
 This enterprise
would be
considered an
‘intensive animal
husbandry’ activity
under planning
definition re: cattle
feedlot.
 As such would be
captured in the
section 2 of GWZ –
intensive animal
husbandry ‘ broiler
or feedlot (
subject to 52.26
Options to Address Issues
 The potential for this
industry to develop within
the Yarra Ranges Council is
limited due to the low
number of existing dairy
establishments and the
absence of milk processing
facilities.
 If deemed under the
definition of a ‘feedlot’
then existing planning
scheme applies.
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
Enterprise
Intensive
Goat Meat
Production
Description of Enterprise
 Goat meat mostly comes
from extensive operations
based on pasture based or
rangeland based farming
systems. There are however
small intensive production
systems where animals are
fed high energy supplements
to target specific markets
and for specific times of the
year.
 Intensive systems involve
partial feedloting or use of
feed pads to grow out goats
to specific slaughter weights
 Sheds or arks (mobile sheds)
are sometimes used to house
and shelter goats
 Breeding animals are run on a
pasture based system with
kids at weaning moving into
the intensive feeding system
for finishing
 The partial feedlot system
requires feed from either off
farm or feed that is grown on
the farm and carried to the
feedlot system.
 Grain feeding often results in
fatter carcasses than
carcasses from animals of
similar live weight that have
been grazing. This "fattening"
can be used to advantage to
finish goats to meet certain
market specifications.
Current Status of the
Industry
 Victoria's goat
industry is based on
broad acre production
systems.
 Intensive systems are
a very minor part of
the industry.
 In 2011, 632
businesses were
involved in the
production of goats,
holding 38,806 head.
Current Location of
Production & Trends
 The majority of Australian
goat meat production
comes from wild
(rangeland) goats, in New
South Wales and
Queensland. In Victoria,
most goat meat production
comes from specialist meat
(Boer goat) producers
 The Victorian goat meat
industry experienced
significant growth in the
last decade in response to
strong export demand.
Domestic demand has also
increased. The number of
goats slaughtered in
Victoria increased from
849 in 1996 to
approximately 600,728 in
2010–11
 Around 55 per cent of
Victoria's goat production
occurs in the Gippsland,
East Gippsland and
Goulburn regions
 Farms are also located in
Barwon and the peri urban
regions of outer
Melbourne which produce
about 22 per cent of
Victoria's goats
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
Minimum Holding Size /
Stocking Rates
 No information on
stocking rates for
intensive housing or
feedlots available
 Confined goats should
have enough space to be
able to lie down, stretch,
stand up and to exercise.
They should have access
to shelter, food and water
8
Codes of Practice &
Regulatory Controls
 Code of Accepted
Farming Practice for
the Welfare of Goats
 Code of Practice for the
Land Transport
 Code of Practice for the
welfare of livestock at
sale yards
 Traceability - Property
Identification Codes
 Yarra Ranges Planning
Scheme
 Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Act
 Impounding of
Livestock Act (ILA)
 Livestock Management
Act
 Environmental
Protection Act
 Port Phillip & Western
Port Catchment
Management Plan
 Code of Practice for the
Tethering of Animals.
Potential Environmental &
Amenity Issues
 Intensive goat production
systems should be located on
relatively flat land with a
gradient and soil type that will
minimise soil, and therefore
nutrient, erosion from the
animal keeping areas to
adjacent surface waters
 Site topography is a critical
issue to managing off-site
impacts
 The stocking rate should reflect
the biophysical capacity of the
property to undertake an
environmentally sustainable
business
 E.g. accommodate the animals
to assimilate the nitrogen and
phosphorus deposited from the
housed system
 The housed production system
should be sited with an
adequate separation distance
to address amenity concerns
 Specifically, odour, dust and
noise from the operation must
not adversely impact upon
neighbouring
properties/communities
Planning
Constraints
 This enterprise
could be
considered an
‘intensive animal
husbandry’ activity
under planning
deoending on the
management
system.
 As such would be
captured in the
section 2 of GWZ –
intensive animal
husbandry ‘ other”
Options to Address Issues
 Changes to the Schedule to
clause 53 to allow intensive
animal husbandry with a
permit
 Add to the definition of
intensive to specifically
have a group called ‘other’
giving examples of these;
intensive goat production –
feedloting to finish goats
 Council could approve a
planning permit for
intensive goat systems
with the following permit
conditions:
 A detailed and
comprehensive
Environmental
Management Plan (EMP)
 A EMP would include the
methodology of calculation
of the minimum ground
 ground cover of 75%
required to be maintained
on operational areas
 EMP would include detailed
sustainable pasture
management and animal
husbandry management
which will ensure that odor
problems will not arise.
 The Guidelines for Biosolids
Application to Land could
be used to minimise the
risk of nitrogen and
phosphorus pollution to
soils, surface waters and
groundwater.
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
Enterprise
Turkey
Farming
(free range ?
or housed)
Description of Enterprise
 There is a broad range of
enterprise sizes and
production systems.
 Production can either be
housed or free range.
 Free-range turkey meat come
from turkeys that have
continuous access to an
outdoor area. Unlike chickens
they are not housed at night.
 Conditions on free-range
farms vary greatly. On some
farms, the range area is large,
provides grass for foraging,
has access to shade and
shelter, and all birds are able
to come and go from the
range during the day; on
others, the range area may
be less attractive for the
birds.
 A hen may lay over 100
eggs/year but fewer than 90
poults will probably survive to
processing weight from these
eggs. Birds are held on
separate breeder farms, each
farm holding up to 7,000
hens. These layers are in
flocks of up to 3,000 and are
held in broiler sheds, typically
4 to 5 on large farms
 Straw, wood shavings and
sawdust are the bedding
materials used.
 Diets are specially formulated
and hens are fed ad libitum,
but toms are usually
restricted from 16–18 weeks
onwards
Current Status of the
Industry
 In Australia, the larger
hatcheries supply
contract growers
while there are some
smaller hatcheries
which provide day-old
turkey poults to
backyard poultry
keepers.
 Inghams
Enterprises dominates
the market with, on
average, 46,000
turkeys processed per
week (60 to 65% of
market share.
 Production appears to
be relatively stable
but there may be
some future growth in
free range production
following the trend
observed in chicken
meat industry.
Current Location of
Production & Trends
 Much of the larger
commercial production
units are located in the
grain belt of Victoria.
 Demand for whole turkeys
is mainly at Christmas and
is usually for the smaller
birds of 4.5 – 6.5 kg live
weight.
 For the rest of the year,
demand is for further
processed products, mainly
from heavy toms, such as
boned or semi de-boned
products.
 Free range turkeys,
commanding a premium
price, are produced on a
few small farms.
 Rainbow Valley Turkeys, a
major grower, produces
about 650,000 turkey
eggs/year. Many of these
are sold to producers for
hatching and some of the
poults are purchased by
small farmers for growing
out.
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
Minimum Holding Size /
Stocking Rates
 Variations between
housed and free range.
Free range stocking rates
vary and are not defined
 To be certified by Humane
Choice, free range turkeys
are to be at a maximum
stocking rate of 1500 birds
per hectare.
9
Codes of Practice &
Regulatory Controls
 Australian Codes of
Practice for the Welfare
of Animals (including
the Model Codes of
Practice for the Welfare
of Animals Domestic
Poultry, Land Transport
of Poultry, and
Livestock at
Slaughtering
Establishments
 National Animal
Welfare Standards for
the Chicken Meat
Industry
 Australia New Zealand
Food Standards Code
(the Code) under the
FSANZ Act 1991. The
processing and
marketing of chicken
meat is governed by
the Code
 Yarra Ranges Planning
Scheme
 Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Act
 Livestock Management
Act
 Environmental
Protection Act
 Port Phillip & Western
Port Catchment
Management Plan
 Comment: Under
planning, biosecurity,
animal welfare, food
safety and
environmental
requirements free
range or housed turkey
production have the
same legal
responsibilities as
broilers farm
Potential Environmental &
Amenity Issues
 Free-range poultry, including
turkey, should be located on
relatively flat land with a
gradient and soil type that will
minimise soil, and therefore
nutrient, erosion from the
poultry keeping areas to
adjacent surface waters
 Site topography is a critical
issue to managing off-site
impacts
 Free Range poultry should not
be exposed to land with
chemical contaminated soil
(e.g. DDT or dieldrin)
 The stocking rate should reflect
the biophysical capacity of the
property to undertake an
environmentally sustainable
business
 E.g. accommodate the flock to
assimilate the nitrogen and
phosphorus deposited
 The poultry system should be
sited with an adequate
separation distance to address
amenity concerns
 Specifically, odour, dust and
noise from the operation must
not adversely impact upon
neighbouring
properties/communities
Planning
Constraints
 Broiler production
e.g. chicken meat
is defined in the
Planning Scheme –
could also include
turkey
 The scheme does
not referrer to free
range chicken/
turkey or other
bird species meat
production –
which would still
fall under the
definition of
‘intensive animal
husbandry
 It would be
assumed the same
planning would
apply to free range
as for broiler (and
also to caged, barn
or free range egg
systems – each
system faces the
same
environmental and
amenity issues
 As such would be
captured in the
section 2 of GWZ –
intensive animal
husbandry ‘ other
than’ broiler or
feedlot – a catch
all statement
(subject to 52.31)
Options to Address Issues
 Changes to the Schedule to
clause 53 to allow intensive
animal husbandry with a
permit.
 Add to the definition of
intensive to specifically
have a group called ‘other’
giving examples of these;
free range turkey flocks
 Council could approve a
planning permit for free
range turkey with the
following permit
conditions:
 A detailed and
comprehensive
Environmental
Management Plan (EMP)
for the rotational free
range system
 A EMP would include the
methodology of calculation
of the minimum ground
 cover of 75% required to be
maintained on operational
areas of the flock
 EMP would include detailed
sustainable pasture
management and animal
husbandry management
which will ensure that odor
problems will not arise
 The Guidelines for Biosolids
Application to Land could
be used to minimise the
risk of nitrogen and
phosphorus pollution to
soils, surface waters and
groundwater.
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
Enterprise
Emu Farming
Description of Enterprise
 Emus are farmed for their
meat, leather and oil. Most
production systems use caged
enclosures.
 Emus are kept in situations
that vary from extensive
grazing to closely managed
flocks in confined areas, with
and without housing.
 In a grazing situation pasture
alone doesn’t meet the
nutritional needs of birds and
feed grain is required
 Females produce up to 20
eggs per year. Once hatched
the chicks are raised in
separate enclosures away
from adult birds.
 Chicks require special
attention until they lose their
‘stripe’ appearance, which
usually occurs by 12 weeks of
age.
Current Status of the
Industry
 The emu industry in
Australia has gone
through several
phases over the past
20 years from a very
small production base
in Western Australia
to a high level of
interest in breeding
for meat products,
and now with a
commercial focus on
meat and skin
production
 International and
domestic markets
have not proved to be
stable with
fluctuations in
demand and price.
 Several small
landholdings have
emus as a novelty
Current Location of
Production & Trends
 No production data of
meat or hide sales is
available.
 Industry appears to
currently be in decline with
little positive outlook.
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
Minimum Holding Size /
Stocking Rates
 Holdings range in size
from just one breeding
pair up to several hundred
birds.
 Difficult to organize
processing for small
holders
 Recommended stocking
rates for adult bird are 16
birds per ha. Where
breeding pens are utilised,
wire netting (rabbit
netting) to a height of 450
mm must be provided on
all fences to prevent the
chicks escaping
 Recommended that chicks
be housed in groups of up
to 50 for the first four
weeks of life.
 Where the yearlings must
be grouped together they
should be housed at
maximum stocking rates
of 18 per hectare for dry
or bare conditions and up
to 24 per hectare for lush
or irrigated conditions.
10
Codes of Practice &
Regulatory Controls
 Model Code of Practice
for the Welfare of
Animals: Husbandry of
Captive-Bred Emus
 Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Act
 Emus are protected in
Victoria in accordance
with the Wildlife Act
1975.
 People with the
appropriate licence
from the Department
of Sustainability
 and Environment are
permitt ed to keep,
rear and sell native
animals
 specifi ed in the
Wildlife Regulations
2002.
Potential Environmental &
Amenity Issues
 Emu production should be
located on relatively flat land
with a gradient and soil type
that will minimise soil, and
therefore nutrient, erosion
from the poultry keeping areas
to adjacent surface waters
 Site topography is a critical
issue to managing off-site
impacts
 Emu production should not be
exposed to land with chemical
contaminated soil (e.g. DDT or
dieldrin)
 The stocking rate should reflect
the biophysical capacity of the
property to undertake an
environmentally sustainable
business
 E.g. accommodate the flock to
assimilate the nitrogen and
phosphorus deposited
 The system should be sited
with an adequate separation
distance to address amenity
concerns
 Specifically, odour, dust and
noise from the operation must
not adversely impact upon
neighbouring
properties/communities
Planning
Constraints
 Intensive Emu
Farming, housed
or free range is not
noted in the
Agriculture nesting
Diagram (
definition) but
would be captured
in the section 2 of
GWZ – intensive
animal husbandry ‘
other than’ broiler
or feedlot – a
catch all statement
 Planning scheme
makes no
reference or
determination on
emu farming
systems or number
of birds that would
fall within
requirements for
planning
Options to Address Issues
 Changes to the Schedule to
clause 53 to allow intensive
animal husbandry with a
permit.
 Add to the definition of
intensive to specifically
have a group called ‘other’
giving examples of these;
intensive emu production
 Council could approve a
planning permit for
intensive emu production
with the following permit
conditions:
 A detailed and
comprehensive
Environmental
Management Plan (EMP)
for the rotational free
range system
 A EMP would include the
methodology of calculation
of the minimum ground
 cover of 75% required to be
maintained on operational
areas of the flock
 EMP would include detailed
sustainable pasture
management and animal
husbandry management
which will ensure that odor
problems will not arise
 The Guidelines for Biosolids
Application to Land could
be used to minimise the
risk of nitrogen and
phosphorus pollution to
soils, surface waters and
groundwater.
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
Enterprise
Ostrich
Description of Enterprise
 Ostriches are farmed for their
meat and leather. Ostrich
feathers are a by-products. .
 Birds are mostly kept in caged
enclosures and in closely
managed flocks. The
confined areas can be with or
without housing.
 In a grazing situation pasture
alone doesn’t meet the
nutritional needs of birds and
feed grain is required.
 Females produce up to 20
eggs per year. Once hatched
the chicks are raised
artificially.
Current Status of the
Industry
 The Australian ostrich
industry is a young
industry with the first
commercial interest
developing in the late
1980’s and early
1990’s.
 Production initial
went through a rapid
expansion from a
virtually zero base to
an industry with a
strong commercial
focus on meat and
skin production
 International and
domestic markets
have not proved to be
stable with
fluctuations in
demand and price.
 Today the industry in
Victoria has a few
larger farms
producing product for
sale while many small
landholder have
ostriches as a novelty.
Current Location of
Production & Trends
 No production data of
meat or hide sales
available.
 Export of both meat and
leather. Some of the
leather processing used to
be offshore.
 Initially the industry was
dominated by a large
number of quite small
production units.
Anecdotal observation is
that there has been some
extensive rationalisation
and there are now a
smaller number of quite
large production units
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
Minimum Holding Size /
Stocking Rates
 Commercial holding can
be as small as one cock
bird servicing just two or
three females.
 Larger holdings are more
common, but there is little
or no information on large
flock sizes.
11
Codes of Practice &
Regulatory Controls
 Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Act.
 Australian Standard for
the Hygienic
Production of Ratite
(Emu, Ostrich). Meat
for Human
Consumption FCARM
report No 71,
Australian Standard
5010/2001
Potential Environmental &
Amenity Issues
 Ostriches should be located on
relatively flat land with a
gradient and soil type that will
minimise soil, and therefore
nutrient, erosion from the
poultry keeping areas to
adjacent surface waters
 Site topography is a critical
issue to managing off-site
impacts
 Ostriches should not be
exposed to land with chemical
contaminated soil (e.g. DDT or
dieldrin)
 The stocking rate should reflect
the biophysical capacity of the
property to undertake an
environmentally sustainable
business
 E.g. accommodate the flock to
assimilate the nitrogen and
phosphorus deposited
 The farming system should be
sited with an adequate
separation distance to address
amenity concerns
 Specifically, odour, dust and
noise from the operation must
not adversely impact upon
neighbouring
properties/communities
Planning
Constraints
 Ostrich Farming, is
not noted in the
Agriculture nesting
Diagram (
definition) but
would be captured
in the section 2 of
GWZ – intensive
animal husbandry ‘
other than’ broiler
or feedlot – a
catch all statement
 Planning scheme
makes no
reference or
determination on
ostrich farming
systems or number
of birds that would
fall within
requirements for
planning
Options to Address Issues
 Changes to the Schedule to
clause 53 to allow intensive
animal husbandry with a
permit.
 Add to the definition of
intensive to specifically
have a group called ‘other’
giving examples of these;
ostriches.
 Council could approve a
planning permit for ostrich
farming with the following
permit conditions:
 A detailed and
comprehensive
Environmental
Management Plan (EMP)
for the rotational free
range system
 A EMP would include the
methodology of calculation
of the minimum ground
 cover of 75% required to be
maintained on operational
areas of the flock
 EMP would include detailed
sustainable pasture
management and animal
husbandry management
which will ensure that odor
problems will not arise
 The Guidelines for Biosolids
Application to Land could
be used to minimise the
risk of nitrogen and
phosphorus pollution to
soils, surface waters and
groundwater.
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
Enterprise
Pheasant
Farming
Description of Enterprise
 Pheasants are raised
commercially in much the
same way as commercial
broiler chickens.
 The formation of the NSW
Branch of the Pheasant and
Waterfowl Society of Australia
by a number of commercial
and semi-commercial
pheasant producers has
further assisted the
development of pheasant
production.
Current Status of the
Industry
Current Location of
Production & Trends
Minimum Holding Size /
Stocking Rates
 Mostly located in
sheds that have been
converted from other
purposes.
 Small scale producers
tageting specific
markets, mainly
restairant based.
 The demand for table
 No information available
pheasants in New South
Wales has increased in
recent years. There are
now a number of
restaurants, particularly in
Sydney, regularly featuring
pheasant dishes on their
menus
 Presumably this trend also
applies to Victoria
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
12
Codes of Practice &
Regulatory Controls
 Australian Codes of
Practice for the Welfare
of Animals (including
the Model Codes of
Practice for the Welfare
of Animals Domestic
Poultry, Land Transport
of Poultry, and
Livestock at
Slaughtering
Establishments
 National Animal
Welfare Standards for
the Chicken Meat
Industry
 Australia New Zealand
Food Standards Code
(the Code) under the
FSANZ Act 1991. The
processing and
marketing of chicken
meat is governed by
the Code
 Yarra Ranges Planning
Scheme
 Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Act
 Livestock Management
Act
 Environmental
Protection Act
 Port Phillip & Western
Port Catchment
Management Plan
 Biosecurity for Poultry
Production
 Comment: Under
planning, biosecurity,
animal welfare, food
safety and
environmental
requirements free
range poultry have the
same legal
responsibilities as
broilers farm

Potential Environmental &
Amenity Issues
 Should be located on relatively
flat land with a gradient and
soil type that will minimise soil,
and therefore nutrient, erosion
from the poultry keeping areas
to adjacent surface waters
 Site topography is a critical
issue to managing off-site
impacts
 Should not be exposed to land
with chemical contaminated
soil (e.g. DDT or dieldrin)
 The stocking rate should reflect
the biophysical capacity of the
property to undertake an
environmentally sustainable
business
 E.g. accommodate the flock to
assimilate the nitrogen and
phosphorus deposited
 The poultry system should be
sited with an adequate
separation distance to address
amenity concerns
 Specifically, odour, dust and
noise from the operation must
not adversely impact upon
neighbouring
properties/communities
Planning
Constraints
 Broiler production
e.g. chicken meat
is defined in the
Planning Scheme
 The scheme does
not referrer to
pheasant
production –
which would still
fall under the
definition of
‘intensive animal
husbandry
 It would be
assumed the same
planning would
apply to free range
as for broiler (and
also to caged, barn
or free range egg
systems – each
system faces the
same
environmental and
amenity issues
 As such would be
captured in the
section 2 of GWZ –
intensive animal
husbandry ‘ other
than’ broiler or
feedlot – a catch
all statement
(subject to 52.31)
Options to Address Issues
 Changes to the Schedule to
clause 53 to allow intensive
animal husbandry with a
permit
 Add to the definition of
intensive to specifically
have a group called ‘other’
giving examples of these;
free range poultry with
flocks greater than 100???
 Council could approve a
planning permit for free
range poultry with the
following permit
conditions:
 A detailed and
comprehensive
Environmental
Management Plan (EMP)
for the rotational free
range system
 A EMP would include the
methodology of calculation
of the minimum ground
cover of 75% required to be
maintained on operational
areas of the flock
 EMP would include detailed
sustainable pasture
management and animal
husbandry management
which will ensure that
odour problems will not
arise..
 The Guidelines for Biosolids
Application to Land could
be used to minimise the
risk of nitrogen and
phosphorus pollution to
soils, surface waters and
groundwater problems will
not arise
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
Enterprise
Farmed
Rabbit
Description of Enterprise
 Rabbit farming is primarily
located in sheds which may
house anywhere from 10 to
over 100 breeding does
 The production is primarily
targeted toward the
restaurant trade but farmed
rabbit is available in some
specialty butchers
Current Status of the
Industry
 The industry was
originally widely
diversifed across
southern with
approximately 30
separate producers
and with processing
works at Bairnsdale
and poowong
Current Location of
Production & Trends
 A recent decline in the
number of producers has
been reported anecdotally.
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
Minimum Holding Size /
Stocking Rates
 Rabbits require a
minimum area of 0.6 m2
13
Codes of Practice &
Regulatory Controls
 Model Code of Practice
for the welfare of
Animals – Intensive
Husbandry of Rabbits
 Prevention of Cruelty
to Animals Act.
 A licence is required to
operate a rabbit farm
under the DEPI Pest
Licence arrangements.
 The Gourmet Rabbit
Producers of Victoria
work collectively to
promote their industry
and remove constraints
Potential Environmental &
Amenity Issues
 The enterprise size should
reflect the biophysical capacity
of the property to undertake an
environmentally sustainable
business
 E.g. accommodate the animals
to assimilate the nitrogen and
phosphorus deposited from the
housed system
 The housed production system
should be sited with an
adequate separation distance
to address amenity concerns
 Specifically, odour, dust and
noise from the operation must
not adversely impact upon
neighbouring
properties/communities
Planning
Constraints
 This enterprise
would be
considered an
‘intensive animal
husbandry’ activity
under planning
definition re: cattle
feedlot.
 Even the larger
production units
are however on a
very small scale in
comparison to
cattle production
systems.
 As such would be
captured in the
section 2 of GWZ –
intensive animal
husbandry ‘ broiler
or feedlot (
subject to 52.26
Options to Address Issues
 If deemed under the
definition of a ‘feedlot’
then existing planning
scheme applies.
4.
Relevance of the Current Planning Controls
The terms and definitions set out in the Planning Scheme do not differentiate between free range
systems and fully housed systems. There is no allowance for different forms of intensity. The ‘more
than 50% of feed coming from off farm’ is the key determination.
The various animal enterprises investigated, free range, housed and variations within these terms
ALL require more that 50% of feed to come from outside the enclosure to sustain the animals. With
good management and strong adherence to industry Codes of Practice some of these enterprises
should have a low impact on the existing land and the general amenity of the area.
The Green Wedge Zone sets out various purposes including, the provision of agricultural land while
also recognizing, protecting and conserving land within the GWZ for agriculture and environment.
The ‘purposes’ also seek to encourage sustainable farming activities and land management.
Schedules to the Green Wedge Zone are referred to in Clause 53.01 of the planning scheme which
states that NO intensive animal husbandry is allowed within the GWZ Schedules 1,2 and 3. It is
assumed the intent of this is to protect the high value environmental and public amenity from
negative impact that may arise from intensive animal husbandry re: broiler sheds and feedlots. A
clear role of any planning scheme is to protect that which is valued – open landscapes with
environmental and public amenity
Thus it would appear that there may be some inconsistency in these provisions and there is a need
to reconsider the prohibition of intensive animal husbandry in the Green Wedge Zones. If there is a
reasonable expectation that some of these enterprises can be operated with a low environmental
and amenity impact, their prohibition is against the stated objectives of the Green wedge Zone to
encourage sustainable farming activities and land management.
5.
Recommendations
Some of the animal production systems looked at in this report could best be described as semi
intensive, such as the ‘free range’ enterprises. With good management the enterprise could
potentially address the environmental and public amenity issues. This could be done by proponents
being required to satisfy that they adhere to published industry Codes of Practice and also provide
an Environmental Management Plan that address environmental and amenity concerns as part of
any approval (permit) process. This is a potential change to the provisions of the planning scheme
that is within the control of the Yarra Ranges Council.
Thus it is recommended that Yarra Ranges Council remove the prohibition of intensive animal
husbandry from the Schedule attached to the Green Wedge Zone and replace it with a permit
requirement for intensive animal industries which are not fully dependent on animals being housed
at all times.
The definition of intensive animal husbandry may be too broad to reflect the different
environmental and amenity impact that would occur with different levels of intensity that are
implemented in these enterprises. The definition should be reviewed to reflect the differing systems
e.g. free range pig, free range poultry and other free range bird production systems along with semi
intensive production e.g. goat meat, where animals breed on the farm and then spend a certain
amount of time in confined areas to be finished prior to sale. A review of this definition is not a
prerogative of the Yarra Ranges Council but needs to be undertaken by the State Government.
Intensive Agriculture Study - Yarra Ranges Council
A possible approach to reviewing the definition would be to describe two different intensive animal
husbandry systems;
 One that has more the 50% of feed consumed coming off farm and animals are permanently
confined to sheds or feeding pads (Feed and permanent confinement being the criteria for
determination).
 The other, has more than 50% of feed consumed coming from off the farm with animals having
access to open paddock areas as part of the production system. At any point in time 75% of the
farm has to have an acceptable level of ground cover. That is the animals have access to open
paddocks with stock rotation to manage ground cover and 75% of the property must maintain
good ground cover at any point in time.
It is recommended that Yarra Ranges Council make the appropriate representation for a review of
this definition within the State section of the Planning Scheme.
DRAFT ONLY for DISCUSSION. Prepared by Ag-Challenge Consulting for Yarra Ranges Council
15