Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning ... · a mobile outdoor production system. 2. Poultry type: The farm must be a poultry farm for the production of chicken

Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning Permit Guidelines

June 2018

Authorised by the Victorian Government Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources (DEDJTR), 1 Spring Street Melbourne Victoria 3000. June 2018.

ISBN 978-1-925734-23-2 (Print) ISBN 978-1-925734-24-9 (pdf/online/MS word)

© Copyright State of Victoria. Except for any logos, emblems, trademarks, artwork and photography this document is made available under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia licence. To view a copy of this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licences/by/4.0/

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Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning Permit Guidelines / 1

Contents

Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning Permit Guidelines – An overview 2

1. Purpose 3

2. Background 4

3. Scope of these Guidelines 5

4. Planning permit requirements for poultry farms 7

5. Threshold requirements for Guidelines 8

6. Simplified planning permit assessment for a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm 9

7. What information should be submitted with a permit application? 10

8. Assessment criteria for a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm 11

9. Notice and review of applications 15

10. Referring applications 15

11. Decision guidelines for assessing a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm planning permit application 16

12. Model permit conditions 16

13. Additional information 17

Appendices 18

Appendix A: Additional guidance for applicants and planners in the development and assessment of proposals 18

1. Site selection 18

2. Buffer distances from waterways 18

3. Separation distances from sensitive uses and locations 18

4. Poultry farm design, operation and management 18

Appendix B: Model permit conditions 20

Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning Permit Guidelines 2 /

Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning Permit Guidelines – An overview

These guidelines apply to poultry farms that satisfy the following operational criteria:

ü a maximum of 5,000 chickens for egg production or 10,000 chickens for meat production

ü a production system based on keeping poultry outdoors in paddocks

ü a maximum outdoor stocking density of 1,500 birds /hectare

ü mobile housing and feeding infrastructure that is relocated at least every two weeks

ü adequate separation from waterways, residential areas and sensitive uses

ü a nutrient management plan is in place and at least 50% ground cover is maintained

These guidelines apply to the following planning permit applications:

ü existing low density mobile outdoor poultry farms that do not have a permit

ü new low density mobile outdoor poultry farms

ü expansions of existing low density mobile outdoor poultry farms


1. Purpose

The purpose of these Guidelines is to:

• deliversoundenvironmentalperformanceintheplanningandmanagementoflowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmsinVictoria

• protectthesurroundingenvironmentandlocalamenityfromadverseimpacts

• protectandpermitaneconomicallyviable,competitiveandsustainablepoultryindustry

• provideafit-for-purposeplanningassessmentprocessforlowriskpoultryfarms.

Toachievetheseoutcomes,theseGuidelines:

• setstandardsforthesize,siting,designandmanagementoflowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarms,and

• provideguidanceonthepreparation,assessmentanddeterminationofpermitapplicationsthroughtheplanningpermitsystem.

TheseGuidelinesprovideinformationanddirectiontoapplicantsandplannersforassessingplanningpermitapplicationstoestablishormodifyalowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarm.Theyoutlinewhatplannersshouldexpectintheapplication,andpresentkeydecisionguidelinestosupportassessmentoftheapplication.

TheseGuidelinessetouttheeligibilityrequirementsforasimplifiedplanningassessmentprocessbasedonthefarmshavinglowenvironmentalandamenityrisks.


2. Background

Poultry farms in Victoria

Victoria’sanimalindustries(includingpoultryfarms)aresignificantcontributorstotheVictorianeconomy.TheyaremajoremployersinruralandregionalVictoriaandareVictoria’slargestagriculturalindustry.

ThereareanumberofdifferentpoultryproductionsystemsinVictoriarangingfromverysmallfarmstolargeintensiveshedbasedfacilities.Poultrycanincludechickens(broilersformeatproduction),chickens(eggproduction),ducks,geese,turkey,quail,squab,emuandostriches.

Poultryproductionsystemscanbebroadlyclassifiedasindoororoutdoor.

Indoor systemsarewherepoultrylivepredominantlyindoorsinsheds.

Outdoor systemsarewherepoultrypredominantlyliveoutdoorsinpaddocksorenclosures.

Broiler farms:Abroilerfarmislandusedtokeepbroilerchickensfortheproductionofmeat.Mostfarmsoperatebybuyinginday-oldchickensandgrowingthebirdstoproductionweight.Day-oldbirdsareinitiallykeptinshedswheretheyareshelteredfromtheelements,andwheretheyhavereadyandcontinuousaccesstofeedandwater.Inoutdoorsystems,oncebirdsareoldenough,theywillbemovedtoorwillhaveaccesstotheoutdoorrangeareaorpaddocks.Thesefarmsareoftenreferredtoasfree-rangebroiler(chickenmeat)farms.

Free-rangechickenmeatfarmscanvarysignificantlyfromverysmall-scalefarmswithmobilehousingsystems(e.g.mobilesheds,sheltersorcaravans)locatedinpaddocks/pasturestolargescalecommercialfarmswithtunnelventilatedsheds,associatedinfrastructureandoutdoorrangesattachedtotheshed.ThisGuidelineisfocusedonthesmall-scalemobileoutdoorsystems.

Egg farms:Aneggfarmislandusedtokeepchickensfortheproductionofeggs.Theproductioncyclestartswiththebreedingandhatchingofday-oldchicks(breedingandhatching).Chicksarerearedtoaround17-20weeksofageatwhichpointtheywillbereadytostartlayingeggs(pointoflay).Thematurebirds(pulletsandhens)thencommencetheirproductivelife.Oncebirdsareoldenough,theywillbemovedtoorwillhaveaccesstotheoutdoorrangeareaorpaddocks.Somepoultryfarmswillincorporateanyoneoralloftheseproductionstages:

• breedingandhatching

• pulletrearing

• eggproduction.

Therearemanydifferentlayerhensystemsincludingcaged,barnandfree-range/outdoor.Eggfarmscanalsorangefrombeingverysmall-scaletoverylargescalecommercialfarmswithtunnelventilatedshedsandassociatedinfrastructure.TheseGuidelinesarefocusedonthelowdensitymobileoutdoorsystems.

Someproducersdescribetheirpoultryfarmsas‘free-range’,‘pastured’and‘regenerative’.Thesetermsmaydescribeparticularethicalrequirementsortargetmarkets,forexample,thosebasedonspecificconsumerpreferences,thatthendeterminetheproductionpractices.Someofthesesystemsalsohaveindustryaccreditationprogramsattachedtothem.Theseoperationsaregenerallystillformsofoutdoorpoultryfarms.


3. Scope of these Guidelines

PoultryfarmsfallundertheAnimalProductiondefinitioninClause73.03oftheVictoria Planning ProvisionsandallVictorianplanningschemes.

Animal production is land used to keep or breed farm animals for the production of livestock, eggs, fibre, meat, milk or other animal products.

A poultry farm is land used to keep or breed poultry.

Apoultryfarmcanalsoincludeabroiler farm.

These Guidelines apply to a planning permit application for:

• broiler farms for meat production (farm capacity of no more than 10,000 birds)

AND

• poultry farms for chicken egg production (farm capacity of no more than 5,000 birds).

These Guidelines do not apply to:

• broiler farms of more than 10,000 birds

• poultryfarmsforeggproductionofmorethan5,000 birds

• other poultry species such as ducks, geese, turkey, quail, squab, emu, ostriches etc.

These Guidelines apply to a particular type of low risk outdoor production system: low density mobile outdoor poultry farms.

Low density mobile outdoor poultry farmsareatypeofoutdoorpoultryproductionsystemwhich,ifwellmanaged,presentsverylowenvironmentalandamenityrisks.

Low density mobile outdoor poultry farmsarewhere,onceoldenough,poultryliveoutdoorsinpaddockswithunfetteredforagingopportunities.Stockingdensitiesarekeptlowandrangeareasarerestedtoallowgroundcovertobemaintainedandtorestricttherateofmanurenutrientadditionstothesoil.

Mobilehousingisprovidedtoprotectpoultryinpaddocksfromtheelements(andtolayeggs).Birdsmaybehousedovernightfortheprotectionfrompredators.Preparedfeedisprovided,typicallyinself-feeders.Thehousing,feedersandwateringpointsareregularlyandfrequentlymovedtodistributemanurenutrientsmoreevenly.

Lowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmsmayalsoincludea(non-mobile)shedfortheraisingofday-oldchickstothepointofbeingreadytorange.


Low density mobile outdoor layer flock

Low density mobile outdoor meat flock


4. Planning permit requirements for poultry farms

InallVictorianplanningschemes,aplanningpermitisrequiredtouseanddeveloplandforapoultryfarm.Aplanningpermitcanbeappliedforinthefollowingzones:

• FarmingZone

• RuralActivityZone

• GreenWedgeZone

• GreenWedgeAZone

• RuralConservationZone

• RuralLivingZone

• UrbanGrowthZone.

Theestablishmentofanewpoultryfarms,includinglowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarms,areprohibitedinallotherzones.

When is a planning permit required for a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm?

Therequirementforaplanningpermitmayapplytoanyofthefollowing:

• existinglowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmsthatdonothaveapermitandthatdonothaveexistinguserights(seeClause63ofallplanningschemes)

• establishinganewlowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarm

• expandinganexistinglowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmtoincreaseitscapacity(includingincreasingsizeintermsofpoultrynumbersoraddingmorepoultryproductionarea).

Inadditiontozonecontrols,theremaybeotherprovisionsofaplanningscheme(forexample,overlaysandparticularprovisions)thathaveadditionalplanningpermitanddevelopmentrequirements,suchasapprovalstoremovenativevegetationandworksapproval.Applicantsareencouragedtocheckwiththeircouncilaboutwhetherotherapprovalsareneededattheplanningstage.


5. Threshold requirements for Guidelines

Therearefourthresholdrequirementsforaccessingthesimplifiedplanningpermitprocess:

1. Production system:Thefarmmustbebasedonamobileoutdoorproductionsystem.

2. Poultry type:Thefarmmustbeapoultryfarmfortheproductionofchickenmeatorchickeneggs.

3. Farm capacity:Thefarmcapacitymustbelessthan5,000chickens(eggs)orlessthan10,000chickens(meat).Thecapacityofapoultryfarmisdescribedasthetotalnumberofpoultrythatwillbeheldonthefarm.

4. Outdoor stocking density:Theoutdoorstockingdensitymustbelessthan1,500birds/hectare.

Farm capacity or size

Planningpermitstypicallyspecifyamaximumoperatingcapacitythathasbeenapprovedunderthepermit.Thisisdescribedintermsofthetotalnumberofpoultry.

InthisGuideline,thenumberofpoultryreferstoallthebirdsbeingkeptonthefarmincludingroosters,chicks,pullets,broilerchickensorlayerhens.

Outdoor stocking density

InthisGuideline,thestockingdensityofthelandisexpressedasnumberofrangingbirdsperhectare.

This is calculated as follows:

Stocking density = the maximum number of poultry that are kept outdoors / range area accessible to the poultry (hectares)

Thestockingdensitydoesnotincludechicksbeingraisedinhousingpriortobeingoldenoughtorange.Thestockingdensitydoesnotincludeareasofthepropertywherepoultrywillnothaveaccess.

Inmostcases,rangeareaswillhaveastockingdensityatorbelow1,500birds/hectare.However,insomecases,farmsmayuseasystemwherebirdsareconfinedinsmallerareaswithahigherstockingdensity.Thebirdsandhousingaremovedfrequentlyandthepaddockrestingperiodexceedstheminimumthree-monththreshold.Thisisacceptable,providinganequivalentstockingdensitycanbeachievedandfrequentmovementofmobileinfrastructureandpoultrymaintainsadequategroundcover.


6. Simplified planning permit assessment for a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm

Applicationsthatareassessedasbeinglowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmshavesimplifiedrequirementsforassessmentanddecision.

Keyfeaturesofthesimplifiedplanningprocessinclude:

• clearapplicationrequirements

• clearstandardstosupportdecisionsbytheresponsibleauthority

• permitapplicationsarenotadvertisedwherecertainconditionsaremet–No Notice

• thirdpartiescannotappealagainsttheplanningdecisionwherecertainconditionsaremet–No Appeal.

Allotherpoultryfarmoperationswillberequiredtofollowthenormalplanningprocess.

Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning Permit Guidelines 10/

7. What information should be submitted with a permit application?

Thefollowinglistprovidesplannerswiththeinformationtheyshouldexpectfromalowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmplanningpermitapplication.

Property Identification Code

Allpoultryfarmswithmorethan100poultry,includinglowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarms,musthaveaPropertyIdentificationCode(PIC),thatassistswithtraceabilityandbiosecurity.

A. Property and locality plan

A property plan showing:

• propertyboundariesanddimensionsofthesite

• paddockswherepoultrywillbekept

• sheds,includinghousingusedfortheraisingofyoungbirdspriortothembeingoldenoughtorangeoutdoors,oranypackingsheds(foreggproductionifappropriate)

• locationofanyotherfarminfrastructuresuchasfeedstorageareas

• farmbores,damsandotherwatersupplysourcesandwaterways

• mortalitymanagementarea

• significantslopeandothertopographicfeatures,remnantvegetationandareaspronetoerosion

• areaspronetoflooding

• internalandexternalroads.

A locality plan showing:

• distancestodwellingsinaseparateownershipandothersensitiveuses(includingdwellingsunderconstructionorapprovedbyaplanningorbuildingpermittobeconstructed)

• distancestowaterwaysfrompoultrypaddockboundaries

• suitablescaleanddimensions.

Asuitablyscaledanddimensionedpropertyandlocationplan,includingdistances,shouldnotrequiretheemploymentofaconsultantorsurveyor.ItcanbedevelopedusingreadilyavailableresourcessuchasfreeonlinemappingprogramssuchasLandChannel. http://www.land.vic.gov.au/

B. Description of the proposal

A briefwrittendescriptionthatdetails:

• proposednumberofpoultrytobekept(includingoffspringandthenumberofpoultrytobekeptacrossvariousproductionstages)

• theproductionsystemincluding:

– theraisingofchicks

– therangeareaandnumberofpoultrypaddocks

– management,packingandstorageofeggs(foreggfarms).

• designofthepoultryhousing,fencing,feedingandwaterinfrastructure

• designanddetailsofhousingfortheraisingofyoungbirdspriortoranging(ifapplicable)

• thepreparedfeedforpoultryandwhereitwillbestored

• managementofdeadbirds/spenthens

• aNutrientManagementPlan(NMP)thatdemonstrateshownutrientswillbemanagedandgroundcovermaintained

• strategiestominimisetheriskofpredators,pests,rodentsandwildbirds

• theplanningzonesandanyoverlaysapplyingtotheland.

http://www.land.vic.gov.au/


8. Assessment criteria for a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm

ThisGuidelinedefinesobjectivesandstandardsthatwillguidetheassessmentoftheplanningapplication.

Objectives:Anobjectivedescribesthedesiredoutcometobeachievedfromaproposal.Aproposalmustmeetalloftheobjectives.

Standards:Astandardcontainstherequirementstomeettheobjective.Astandardisanapproach,action,practiceormethodthatpermitapplicantsshouldincorporateintotheirdevelopmentproposaltocomplywiththeobjective.Wheretheproposalmeetsallthestandards,theapplicationisdeemedtocomplywiththeobjective.

Alternative measures:Circumstancesofaparticularproposalmayprovideaneedoranopportunitytoproposealternativewaysofmeetingtheobjectivesandstandards.Theresponsibleauthoritymayconsideranalternativedesignsolutioniftheapplicantcandemonstratethattherelevantobjectivescanstillbemetwithequivalentorsuperiorperformance.ResponsibleauthoritiesshouldconsiderproposalsthatincludenewtechnologyandinnovativeapproachesifthesecanbedemonstratedtosatisfytheobjectivesoftheGuidelines.

TheObjectivesandStandardsshouldbeconsideredasawholeasmanyoftheapprovedmeasuresareinter-related.

Objective 1 – Low risk site

Theriskofadverseenvironmentalimpactsonsoils,waterwaysandsurroundsisminimisedbyappropriatesiteselectionandthroughafarmlayoutthatavoidsareasofrisk.

Standard 1.1 Land• Thelandusedforpoultryrangingareasaresuitableforgrowingpasturesandmaintaininggroundcover.

Standard 1.2 Surface waters• Thepoultrypaddocksandotherfarminfrastructureare:

– locatedabovethe1in100-yearfloodlevel

– notlocatedinareasimpactedbyafloodzone,floodingoverlayorlandsubjecttoinundationoverlay.

• ThepoultryfarmisnotlocatedwithinaSpecialWaterSupplyCatchmentArea.

• Theboundariesofthepoultrypaddocksareatleast30mfromawaterwaydeclaredundertheWater Act 1989.

Note:Wherethismeasurecannotbemet,additionalconsiderationintheproposalmaybeneededtoaddresspotentialriskstowaterwaysandproposeadditionalriskmanagementstrategies.Smallfarmsorapplicationsproposinglowstockingdensitiesmayposeverylowrisktothewaterwaysdependingonthesite-specificfarm’slayout,thetopographyandotherconsiderations,andtheapplicationcanbesupported.Referraltotherelevantwaterauthorityorcatchmentmanagementauthoritywillassistwiththisconsideration.


Objective 2 – Environmental protection management

Adverseimpactsonsoils,waterwaysandsurroundsareavoidedthroughgoodmanagement.

Standard 2.1 Ground cover• Aminimum50%groundcoverismaintainedoverthepoultryrangeareasatalltimes(seeAppendix Aforconsiderationofseasonalconditions).

Standard 2.2 Mobile infrastructure• Housing,feedingandwaterinfrastructurearerelocatedatleasteverytwoweekstoensurenutrientloadisevenlyspread,groundcoverisreplenishedandbirdsaccessfreshrangeareas.

Standard 2.3 No return period• Poultrydonotreturntoapreviouslyusedpoultryrangeareawithina3-monthperiod.

Standard 2.4 Nutrient Management Plan

• AnNMPthatincludesstrategiesandmeasurestoensurenutrientrisksareadequatelymanagedandmonitoredby:

– maintaining50%groundcover

– movingmobileinfrastructureandmanagingexcessmanureunderhousing(ifappropriate)

– implementinganoreturnperiodandpasturemanagement

– soiltesting,monitoringandfarmmanagement.

RefertoAppendix AforadditionalinformationregardingNutrientManagementPlans.

Objective 3 – Community amenity

Thesitelocation,designandfarmmanagementofthelowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmprotectsthecommunityfromodour,dustandotheramenityimpacts.

Standard 3.1 Separation DistancesThenearestpoultrypaddockboundaryandpoultryhousing1meetstheseparationdistanceslistedinthefollowingtable:

Poultry Numbers

Distance to Sensitive Use2

(m)

Distance to Residential

zone (m)

≤1,000poultry >50m >200

>1,000poultry >100m >400

1 includingpoultryshedsusedfortheraisingofyoungbirdspriortothembeingoldenoughtorange

2 Sensitiveuseisausethatinvolvesthepresenceofpeople,causingtheusetobesensitivetoamenityconsiderationssuchasodour,dustandnoise.Sensitiveuses(alsoreferredinotherdocumentsassensitivelanduses)includeadwelling,adependantpersonsunit,aresidentialbuilding,ahospital,aschool,adaycarecentre,acaravanparkandotherusesinvolvingthepresenceofpeopleforanextendedperiod.Sensitiveusedoesnotincluderecreational areassuchasparksandsportingfacilities.


A good aim is to have more than 50% ground cover in a poultry paddock immediately after the flock has been removed

Mobile housing with internal feeders


Pasture that has recovered well after a 3-month rest period

Mobile broiler chicken housing

Mobile layer chicken caravan with a 1,000 bird capacity


9. Notice and review of applications

Givingofnoticeinvolvestheformalnotificationoftheapplicationtootherparties.Generally,whennoticeisgiven,partieshavearighttoapplytotheVictorianCivilandAdministrativeTribunalforareviewofthedecision.

Insomeinstances,proposalsareexemptfromnoticeandreviewundertheVictoria Planning Provisions.

Clause53.09oftheVictoria Planning Provisions andallplanningschemesexemptslowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmsfromnoticeandreviewifthefollowingcriteriaapply:

• thenumberofchickensdoesnotexceed5,000foreggproductionor10,000formeatproduction

• theoutdoorstockingdensitydoesnotexceed1,500birdsperhectare

• thematurechickensarekeptoutdoorsonpaddockswith:

– mobilehousingandfeedinginfrastructurethatisrelocatedatleasteverytwoweeks,and

– thepoultryrangeareamaintainsaminimumof50%groundcover.

• thesetbackrequirementsofStandard3.1aremet.

Applicationsthatmeetthespecifiedcriteriawillstillrequireaplanningpermit,butbecausetheyareconsideredtoposeverylowenvironmentalandamenityrisks,thenoticeandreviewrequirementswillnotapply.

10. Referring applications

Clause66.02oftheVictoria Planning Provisions andallplanningschemesrequiresanapplicationtobereferredtotherelevantwaterboardorwatersupplyauthorityifthelowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmisproposedwithinaSpecialWaterSupplyCatchmentArealistedinSchedule5oftheCatchment and Land Protection Act 1994andwhichprovideswatertoadomesticsupply.

ReferralofanapplicationtotherelevantwaterorcatchmentmanagementauthoritymayalsoberequiredincertainzonesandoverlaysinaccordancewithClause66.03oftheVictoria Planning Provisionsandallplanningschemes.


11. Decision guidelines for assessing a low density mobile outdoor poultry farm planning permit application

Beforedecidingonanapplicationforalowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarm,theresponsibleauthorityshouldconsider,asappropriate:

• documentationsubmittedwiththeapplication

• compliancewiththeObjectivesandStandardsofSection8.

IfalowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmmeetsthesitingandmanagementcriteriasetoutinSection8itwillposelowrisktotheamenityandenvironment.

Appendix Aprovidesadditionalinformationforapplicantsandplannerstosupportthedevelopmentandconsiderationofaproposalandthenutrientmanagementplan.

12. Model permit conditionsPermitconditionswillalsoassisttheresponsibleauthoritytoensureafarmcontinuestomeetspecificstandardsismanagedinasatisfactorymanner.RecommendedmodelpermitconditionsaredetailedinAppendix B.


13. Additional information

Property Identification Code

FurtherinformationofPICsandhowtoapplyforaPICcanbefoundontheAgricultureVictoriawebsite.

http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/property-identification-codes

Biosecurity

Biosecurityisasetofmeasuresorpracticesdesignedtoprotectagainsttheentryspreadofpestsanddiseases.Effectivebiosecurityisimportantforthebenefitofthefarmoperationandtheindustryasawhole.

Effectivebiosecurityisachievedthroughacombinationofmeasures,includingseparatingintensivelivestockfarmswherethisispossible.Separationbetweenneighbouringpoultryfarmsisonewaytolimittheriskofaerosoldiseasespread,althoughthismaybeimpracticalforexistingpoultryfarms.Goodbiosecuritymanagementisthefirstandbestapproachtomitigatebiosecurityrisks.AgricultureVictoriacanprovideadviceonconsiderationsfornewfarmapplicationsinproximitytoexistinglargeintensiveorsensitivepoultryfacilities.

FurtherinformationonVictorianBiosecurityGuidelinesforpoultryproducerscanbefoundontheAgricultureVictoriawebsite:

http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/pests-diseases-and-weeds/animal-diseases/poultry/biosecurity-guidelines-for-poultry-producers

Otherkeyindustrydocumentsthatwillassistfarmersdevelopandimplementeffectivebiosecurityplansare:

TheCodeofPracticeforBiosecurityintheEggIndustry–2ndEdition(2015):

https://www.australianeggs.org.au/what-we-do/leading-research/biosecurity-in-the-egg-industry/

TheNationalFarmBiosecurityTechnicalManualforEggProduction(2015):

http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/National-Farm-Biosecurity-Technical-Manual-for-Egg-Production.pdf

TheNationalFarmBiosecurityManualforChickenGrowers(2010):

http://www.farmbiosecurity.com.au/livestock/chickens/meat-chicken-production-biosecurity/














Appendices

Appendix A: Additional guidance for applicants and planners in the development and assessment of proposals

1. Site selectionSiteselectionisanimportantelementofavoidingamenityandenvironmentalimpacts.Themainfactorstoconsiderare:

• slope,distancetowaterways,potentialforflooding

• anystatutorylanduseplanningrestrictions

• availabilityofsufficientpasturelandareatoaccommodatethenumberofpoultryproposed

• meetingrequiredseparationdistancestosensitiveuses,residentialzonesandwaterways

• anypossiblefutureexpansionplans.

Siteselectionwillconsiderbalancingidealconditionsforbirdswhileminimisingnutrientimpacttotheenvironment.Idealsoilsaresuitableforgrowingpastures/corps,andthelandscapewillhavelowerosionriskbybeingnottoosteep.Featuresthatacceleraterunoff,suchasdrainsorgulliesneedtobemanagedinrangeareas.

2. Buffer distances from waterways Buffersbetweenthepoultrypaddockboundaryandwaterwayshelptopreventnutrienttransfersinrunofforerodedsoil.Nutrientsandsaltsleachingthroughthesoilprofilecanalsoimpactthequalityofgroundwater.Thepoultrypaddockshouldbewellseparatedfromsurfacewatercourses(suchasrivers,creeksanddams)topreventcontaminationofwaterwithsediment,nutrientsandorganicmatter.

3. Separation distances from sensitive uses and locations

Lowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmsposealowriskofodourimpactduetothelowstockingdensitiesandoutdoornatureoftheproductionsystem.ThisGuidelinessetsarecommendedseparationdistancebetweentheboundaryofthepoultrypaddockandsensitiveuses(suchasdwellings)andresidentialzonestoensuretherearenoacuteodour,noiseorvisualimpacts.

4. Poultry farm design, operation and management

Nutrient Management Plan – Guidance NotesANutrientManagementPlan(NMP)isrequiredtoensuretheriskofexcessnutrientsismanagedandmonitored.Theplanshouldcompriseevidenceofthefollowingelements:

• maintenanceof50%groundcover

• mobileinfrastructurerelocationandmanagementofexcessmanureunderhousing(ifappropriate)

• noreturnperiodandpasturemanagement

• soiltestrecordsandfarmmanagementdetails.

Maintenance of ground coverMaintainingpasturecoveriskeytofarmsustainabilityandavoidingdustandodournuisancestoneighboursandoff-sitepollution.Maintainingpasturereducestheriskoferosion,dustandimpactstowaterquality.Awell-managedpastureprovidesanopportunitytoretainandusethenutrientsfromthepoultryonsiteandavoidtheproblemsofleechingexcessnutrientsrunningoffintowaterways,groundwaterorontoneighbouringproperties.Lowstockinglevelsandfrequentrotationsallownutrientloadstoberesponsiblymanaged.

Groundcoveristheamountofplantmaterial(deadoralive)whichcoversthesoilsurface.Itisusuallyexpressedinpercentageterms–100%groundcovermeansthatthesoilcannotbeseenand0%groundcoverisbaresoil.

Refer to the Agriculture Victoria website http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/soil-and-water/erosion/groundcovering-measuring-tool

http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/soil-and-water/erosion/groundcovering-measuring-tool




What is 50% ground cover?50%groundcoverisestimatedasanaveragecoveracrossthepaddockthatthepoultryarehousedinattheendofthepoultryphaseinthatpaddock.Thisisnotanestimateofgroundcoveracrossthewholefarm,oracrossotherpoultrypaddocks.

Seasonalandemergencyconditionsmayimpactonafarm’sabilitytomaintaingoodgroundcover.Thesesituationsshouldbetreatedasbeingshort-termoccurrencesandtheproducershouldactivelymanagepoultrysopasturegrowthisrestoredassoonaspossible.

GuidancematerialsareprovidedattheAgricultureVictoriawebsite3tohelpfarmersestimateandrecordgroundcover.Managementpracticesthatwouldsupportmaintaining50%groundcoverinclude:

• choosingsuitablesites

• carefulselectionofgrassspecies

• lightstockingdensities

• frequentpaddockrotation

• mobileinfrastructurethatisfrequentlyrelocated

• appropriatesizepaddocksbasedonstockingdensityandrotationfrequency.

TheNMPshoulddescribehowgroundcoverwillbemonitoredovertimeandhowissueswithmaintaininggroundcoverwillbemanagediftheyarise.

Movement of mobile housing and feeders within paddocksKeytothedesignofalowdensitymobileoutdoorpoultryfarmisthatthehousing,feedingandwaterinfrastructuremustbemobile.Poultrykeptinpaddocksexhibitdistinctdungingpatterns,withmostmanurebeingdepositedinthehighuseareabeneaththemobilehousing.Asaresult,thesoilinthisareaofthepaddockhashighernutrientlevelsthanotherareas.Paddocksandfacilities(suchashousing,feeding/wateringpoints)needcarefulmanagementtoavoiduncontrolledenvironmentandamenityimpacts.

Regularlymovingtheinfrastructure(housing\feeding\water)effectivelydispersesmanurenutrientsoverthepaddockarea,reducingnutrientconcentrationandsoilerosionaroundthepaddockinfrastructure.

Aspoultryroostovernightinthemobilehousing,manureandthenutrientsitcontainscanbecomeconcentratedunderthehousingineachlocation.Forlargerhousingsystems,themanureshouldberemovedandusedat

anothersite.TheNMPneedstodescribehowthemobilefeeders,housingandwaterwillberelocatedaroundpaddocksatleasteverytwoweeks.

‘No return’ period and pasture managementThisspecificallymeansthatoncepoultryhaveleftapoultrypaddock(orareaofapaddock)theycannotreturntothatsameareaforaminimumperiodofthreemonths.Thisistoallowthepasturetorecoverandactivelygrow.Aminimumnoreturnperiodofthreemonthsisrequiredforallpoultrypaddocks.

Soil TestingSoiltestingofrepresentativepoultrymanagementareasneedstobeconductedeverytwoyears.Recordsofthesoiltestsneedtobekeptconfirmingthatthesoilnutrientsarebeingmaintainedatasuitablelevel.

TheNMPshoulddescribetheareastobesoiltested(similarsoiltype,poultryclass,stockingdensity,managementpractice)andhowtheresultswillbeusedtomonitorandadjustfarmpractice.

Further information at http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/soil-and-water/soils/sampling-soils-for-growing-pastures-field-and-fodder-crops

Farm management: Mortality managementInanylivestockproductionsystem,somemortalitiesareinevitable.Theappropriatemanagementofmortalitiescanpreventcontaminationtosurfaceandgroundwater,nuisanceodour,thespreadofinfectiousdiseaseandproblemswithvermin.Variousmethodsfordisposingofmortalitiesincludecomposting,burial,renderingandcompleteincineration.Removalbyalicencedcontractorisoptimumformortalitymanagement,otherwisecompostingorrenderingisbestforon-farm.On-farmcarcassdisposalmustmeettheEPAFarmWasteManagementguidelinesforDeadStock.

http://www.epa.vic.gov.au/~/media/Publications/IWRG641.pdf

Mortalitiesshouldberemoveddailytominimisethespreadofdisease,uncontrolledmovementofnutrientandthepotentialproductionofodour.FurtherdetailsonthemanagementofmortalitiescanbefoundinAusvetplan(2011).

https://www.animalhealthaustralia.com.au/what-we-do/emergency-animal-disease/ausvetplan/

3 http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/soil-and-water/erosion/groundcovering-measuring-tool

http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/farm-management/soil-and-water/soils/sampling-soils-for-growing-pastures-field-and-fodder-crops









Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning Permit Guidelines 20/

Appendix B: Model permit conditions

Use must not be altered• Theuse[and/ordevelopment]asshownontheendorsedplansmustnotbealteredwithoutthewrittenconsentoftheresponsibleauthority.Theendorsedplansinclude:

– Propertyplan[dates/details]

– Localityplan[dates/details]

– NutrientManagementPlan[dates/details]

– [Otherplans-dates/details].

• Nomorethan(specifynumber)poultrymaybekeptonthesiteatanyonetimeunlesswiththewrittenconsentoftheresponsibleauthority.Allpoultrymustbekeptwithinthedefinedareaasshownontheendorsedplan.

Amenity• Theuseanddevelopmentmustbemanagedinaccordancewiththeapprovedplanssothattheamenityoftheareaisnotdetrimentallyaffected,throughthe:

– processescarriedoutontheland

– transportationoflivestock,materials,goodorcommoditiestoorfromtheland

– theemissionofodour,dust,noise,artificiallight,wastewaterorwasteproducts

– thepresenceofvermin

– othersasappropriate.

• Iftheresponsibleauthoritydeterminesthattheamenityofthenearbyresidentsisadverselyaffectedbytheemissionofanunreasonablelevelofodour,dust,ornoisefromthesite,theoperatormustimmediatelyandtothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthoritytakeactiontopreventthoseemissions,whichmayincludeadjustingstockingdensity,greaterseparationdistancesbetweenthepoultryandresidents,oranyotheractionsreasonablyrequiredtorectifytheunreasonableemissions.

Waste management• Thewasteproducedfromtheusemust:

– notdischargebeyondtheboundariesofthelandordirectlyintowaterways

– tothesatisfactionoftheresponsibleauthority.

• Effluentrun-offmustnotbedischargedtothe(insertnameofwaterway)atanytime.AlleffluentmustbetreatedonsiteinaccordancewiththerelevantEPArequirements.

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Victorian Low Density Mobile Outdoor Poultry Farm Planning ... · a mobile outdoor production system. 2. Poultry type: The farm must be a poultry farm for the production of chicken