By Mitchell Clarke
An amended application to build the contentious Longwarry Saleyards has been approved by Baw Baw Shire Council, but the site’s furious neighbours have taken their fight to VCAT.
All but one councillor voted in favour of the $13 million application – which was fitted with new conditions – during a meeting on Wednesday night, 14 October.
New conditions added to the application will mean the developers will be subjected to follow revised sale times, operation hours and truck movements.
Under the updated permit, the sale of cattle can only occur between 8am and 4pm on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesday, and between 8am and 4pm on some Thursdays and Fridays.
The movement of livestock will be not permitted on the weekend and the truck wash can only operate between the hours of 7am to 10pm.
Developers will also be required to prepare a detailed complaints evaluation and response plan.
Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss said he fully understood the opponent’s point of view.
“I can see the points of view and it’s been a long arduous journey for these people,” he said.
“I’m here to represent people but in this instance, I think the greater good of Baw Baw Shire is achieved by approving this community.”
West Ward councillor Tricia Jones, who represents Longwarry, was the only member of the council to reject the proposal.
Cr Jones said the development had merit but was not suitable for the proposed location.
“While I agree we need a local saleyard … I still do not think the site is appropriate,” she said.
The McCoy family – who live just five metres from the development’s boundary on Sand and Thornell Road – said the “exhausting” fight against the proposal had taken a toll on their young family.
Despite this, they’ve launched their own noise and odour report, arguing an independent authority should’ve provided the data in the first instance.
“Our intention is to prove the Works Approval was falsely issued using incorrect data provided by the saleyards,” Ms McCoy explained.
“There are so many things that we see are wrong and that’s why we’ll fight it until the end. The whole thing doesn’t make sense, it has never made sense, and we will prove that.”
Ms McCoy accused the council of being “more interested” in business and revenue opportunities.
“Through the whole process they have been very vindictive and secretive. They have gone and proven that they are there to support big business and dollars over the residents and ratepayers of Longwarry,” she said.
“For those who think it’s over, that it’s the end of it because, they’re in for a very rude awakening. It’s not over yet, not by a long shot.”
The independent investigation is expected to be completed by December and a VCAT hearing has been slated for April 2020.
